Karen Lewis Endorses Emanuel Opponent For Mayor
(CBS) – Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, is seen in a video posted online Friday endorsing mayoral candidate Jesus Garcia.
The video, posted on YouTube, was expected to be played Friday evening at an organized labor event.
Wearing a scarf on her head, a smiling Lewis explains her decision not to run for mayor and goes on to endorse Garcia, a Cook County commissioner, for mayor.
Lewis herself had considered running for mayor in hopes of unseating incumbent Rahm Emanuel, until she was abruptly diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery.
Among the other mayoral candidates is 2nd Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti.
Garcia was grateful for the nod from Lewis.
"Karen Lewis -- and you know it better than I do -- is one of the best warriors that Chicago has experienced in over a generation," Garcia said in response to the endorsement.
Fioretti says he intends to fight for the endorsement of the union rank-and-file.
CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey has assumed Lewis's duties while she undergoes treament.