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RandySF

(57,588 posts)
Sun Mar 19, 2023, 11:58 PM Mar 2023

CHICAGO MAYOR: Led by Willie Wilson, Black clergy are backing Paul Vallas

Millionaire businessman Willie Wilson endorsed Paul Vallas for mayor of Chicago earlier this month.

But on Sunday, he corralled dozens of Black pastors to do the same, shoring up Vallas’ support on the South and West sides before the April 4 runoff.

Wilson addressed the element of race in his decision to support Vallas over rival Brandon Johnson.

“I’m asked a lot, why do I support a white man over a Black man?” Wilson said. “My answer is simple: Paul and I have been on the same wavelength.

“I do not believe in defunding the police, nor does he. I do not believe in raising taxes on its citizens. ... Paul believes the same thing,” he said. “We should not look at color. We have to look out for our best interest.”


https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2023/3/19/23647295/paul-vallas-brandon-johnson-chicago-mayor-willie-wilson-election-city-hall

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CHICAGO MAYOR: Led by Willie Wilson, Black clergy are backing Paul Vallas (Original Post) RandySF Mar 2023 OP
For better or worse I think Vallas will win. former9thward Mar 2023 #1
Neither are very strong candidates ... really hoping Vallas loses. He won't be a good choice for the PortTack Mar 2023 #2
In the 2016 general election, Wilson voted for Trump. Celerity Mar 2023 #3
This is one time when I will agree blue-wave Mar 2023 #4

former9thward

(31,798 posts)
1. For better or worse I think Vallas will win.
Mon Mar 20, 2023, 12:06 AM
Mar 2023

About 55% to 45%. Johnson is simply not known to most Chicagoans. Or their knowledge of him comes from his Chicago Teachers Union membership. That might get him some votes but it will cost him a lot of others. The CTU did not enhance their popularity during the Covid shutdowns. Almost all of Johnson's campaign money comes from unions. Regular people have contributed almost nothing.

PortTack

(32,605 posts)
2. Neither are very strong candidates ... really hoping Vallas loses. He won't be a good choice for the
Mon Mar 20, 2023, 01:43 AM
Mar 2023

Ppl of the Windy City

Celerity

(42,633 posts)
3. In the 2016 general election, Wilson voted for Trump.
Mon Mar 20, 2023, 02:02 AM
Mar 2023
Willie Wilson announces US Senate bid, challenging Senator Dick Durbin

https://abc7chicago.com/willie-wilson-duck-durbin-senate-campaign/5511659/

Wilson is running as an Independent to challenge longtime Democratic Senator Dick Durbin. The formal mayoral and presidential candidate officially launched his bid Tuesday.

"This thing isn't about Willie Wilson, it's about our citizens," he said during a morning news conference. "As an Independent Democrat I want to go into the belly of the beast, the belly of the beast in Washington, D.C.," Wilson added.

A businessman and philanthropist, Wilson placed third in February's Chicago mayoral primary. He also ran for mayor in 2015, both times garnering about 10 percent of the vote.

In 2016, Wilson ran for president, but then dropped out and voted for Donald Trump. Still, he said, he's always been a Democrat.

snip

blue-wave

(4,313 posts)
4. This is one time when I will agree
Mon Mar 20, 2023, 02:57 AM
Mar 2023

with Willie Wilson. I subscribe to Dr. Martin Luther King's statement that it is the "content of one's character" and not the color of skin that should matter. I am a white male who has voted for candidates of all races and ethnic backgrounds. There is good and bad in all.

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