Garcia And Lewis Talk Campaign Strategy Over Lunch
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis joined mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia for a strategy session Thursday afternoon in Bronzeville, their first joint appearance in several weeks.
Lewis co-chairs Garcia's campaign, and is perhaps his most powerful supporter, but the teachers union boss hasn't formally campaigned with him since January.
They met for lunch at Pearl's Place Restaurant at Pershing Road and Michigan Avenue, for a brief appearance, surrounded by cameras and supporters.
Lewis asked Garcia what is the one thing he wants most in the campaign, and he said it's to get people to the polls, and to vote early ahead of the April 7 runoff against Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Asked how fundraising has been going, Garcia said "very well," but acknowledged he could use another $1.3 million.
To those who have suggested Garcia could not be tough with teachers when they renegotiate their contract with the Chicago Public Schools later this year, with the CTU supporting his campaign, Lewis said "if tough really means draconian, like Governor Rauner's cuts in education, no one should be that way."