Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and 2nd Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti collected enough signatures to submit nominating petitions on Monday—and officially enter the race to unseat Mayor Rahm Emanuel in February's municipal election.
Fioretti said he wrangled nearly 55,000 signatures while Garcia told supporters he'd collected 60,000-plus signatures, both well over the 12,500 required to get on the ballot.
Garcia, a progressive like Fioretti, was the last big name to throw his hat into the ring when he announced last month his intention to run for Emanuel's job.
He gained the endorsement of Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, who was considered a strong mayoral candidate until a brain tumor diagnosis forced her to remove her name from the running.
Last week, Emanuel—seeking a second term in office—dropped the first TV ad of his re-election campaign as well as a new slogan, "Chicago Together," which set the tone for a neighborhood-focused approach.
The following 10 filed petitions: Frederick Collins, Rahm Emanuel, Fenton Patterson, Gerald Sconyers, Amara Enyia, Bob Fioretti, Jesus Garcia, William "Dock" Walls III, Bob Shaw and Rev. Willie Wilson.
