Meet Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, The Nex Mayor of Chicago?

The Mexican immigrant and Democrat is seeking to upset Obama's preferred candidate, Rahm Emanuel

By Lilia Montijo2015-03-02T21:25:00+00:00

CHICAGO.- Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is son to a Mexican farmer who worked in the US during World War II under the Bracero Program, and at 58 years of age, he suddenly now has big possibilities of becoming Chicago's Mayor, the 3rd biggest city in the United States.

Image: Chuy Garcia, Chicago's Mayor candidate/Facebook

The now US citizen is currently forcing a second runoff in voting against Rahm Emanuel, Chicago's current mayor and close friend to President Barack Obama. This week, Garcia obtained 34% of votes, while Emanuel barely reached 48% giving them a second run this next April 7th.

And a new poll out today has them both statistically even at 42.9% for Rahm, and 38.5% for Garcia, and whopping 20% undecided still.

Jesus Garcia migrated to the United State at the age of 10, alongside his family, to reunite with his father. He moved to Chicago in 1965 and became a permanent resident in the Mexican neighborhood of Pilsen/Little Village, where he still lives with his wife Evelyn and his three children.

Image: Chuy Garcia with Chicago residents/Facebook

As a member of the Democrat Party, "Chuy" studied Political Sciences and obtained a Masters Degree in Urban Planification from the Illinois University in Chicago. While he was still studying he worked as a legal assistant, helping immigrants and low income people from Little Village.

He also did postgraduate work in Economy and was the first local Hispanic Senator in the history of Chicago.

And, he's won a lot of support because of his charisma and events, like last Saturday, when Garcia participated in the 19th edition of the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge, an event where thousands of people unite to challenge the ice cold water of North Avenue Beach in order to raise funds that benefit the Special Olympics programs in Chicago's parks and schools. Lady Gaga and her fiancé, actor Taylor Kinney, as well as comedian Vince Vaughn, also participated for this cause, by diving into the cold water of Lake Michigan.

[/p]