Press Release:
EVANSTON, IL – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) announced her endorsement of Daniel Biss in the Democratic primary to succeed her in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Rep. Schakowsky has represented the district since 1999 and announced last May that she would not seek reelection. The Biss campaign also released a digital video from Rep. Schakowsky regarding the endorsement.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky released the following statement:
“Serving the people of the 9th Congressional District has truly been the honor of a lifetime, and I feel a deep responsibility to ensure our residents are represented by someone who fights for our progressive values, has a deep understanding of our community, and knows how to get big things done. I am confident that Daniel Biss is that person, and I am proud to endorse him.
“Daniel has served our community as an activist, a legislator, and now as Mayor of Evanston, and he has earned our trust and respect. An effective and fearless fighter for progressive causes, he has taken on and won tough fights over powerful special interests, worked to lower costs for families, strengthened LGBTQ+ protections, expanded retirement savings options for Illinoisans, passed landmark municipal environmental and reparations legislation, and bolstered abortion rights statewide. Furthermore, his courageous stands against ICE and Border Patrol leader Gregory Bovino show that no matter the pressure, he will never back down as we take on Donald Trump and his corrupt administration.
“We cannot allow out-of-state donors and special interests to buy this seat, and Daniel is the candidate with the deepest local support. He has earned the endorsement of the Illinois AFL-CIO, the Chicago Federation of Labor, dozens of local elected leaders, and several members of our Congressional delegation. We need Daniel Biss in Congress to move our community and our country forward.”
Daniel Biss released the following statement:
“Jan Schakowsky is an icon, a fierce and fearless warrior for our communities, and a true friend. I am deeply honored to have her endorsement in this race. Jan’s moral clarity and courage are part of what moved me to start organizing more than 20 years ago, and she has been a role model for me ever since. It means the world to me that she trusts me to continue her remarkable legacy.
“In an era when ‘fighting’ has become a political buzzword, Jan has shown us what being a fighter really means — for peace, for justice, for people and the planet. In this race, we are building a grassroots local campaign to carry on Jan’s mission in the 9th District, and I am truly humbled to have her support.”
Biss has raised more than $1.3 million and has gained the endorsement of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11), Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and local leaders including State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (14), State Rep. Mary Beth Canty (54), State Rep. Sharon Chung (91), State Rep. Nicolle Grasse (53), State Rep. Suzanne Ness (66), State Senator and Wheeling Twp. Committeeman Mark Walker (27), Democratic Central Committeeman Leo Smith, Chicago Ald. Andre Vasquez (40), Chicago Ald. Matt Martin (47), Chicago Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43), as well as multiple current and former local elected officials.
Biss has also earned the endorsement of the Illinois AFL-CIO, the Chicago Federation of Labor, Painters District Council #14, Mid America Carpenters Regional Council, IBEW Local 134, LiUNA Chicago Laborers District Council, SEIU Illinois State Council, the Iron Workers District Council of Chicago, Local 881 UFCW, IAFF Local 742, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers ADC 1, 314 Action, the 47th Ward Democrats, and more.
For more information about Daniel Biss, visit www.danielbiss.com.