4 candidates face off for the Illinois Senate seat for Chicago’s 20th District
CHICAGO — There is a fascinating state senate primary we’re closely tracking. It has the Illinois Senate president in a proxy battle with the Chicago Teachers Union. There’s big money and big names involved.
As millions flow into a local state senate primary, a prominent national figure is trying to sway voters.
The contest is Senate District 20, which has extremely progressive Northwest Side turf that includes Belmont Cragin, Bucktown, and Logan Square.
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The incumbent is Natalie Toro, who was appointed after Cristina Pacione-Zayas resigned to become Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Deputy Chief of Staff.
She’s a kindergarten teacher, but the Chicago Teachers Union decided to back rival Graciela Guzman, a CTU organizer. Guzman got a boost this week by nabbing the support of Senator Bernie Sanders.
“We’re one of the most progressive districts across the state and so having someone who supports and affirms affordable health care, the right to housing – all of these progressive values, it’s just one more really important endorsement in our community,” Guzman said.
The fundraising is extraordinary. Toro has received more than one million dollars from Senate President Don Harmon’s campaign operation while Guzman has gotten a quarter of a million dollars and counting from CTU.
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Guzman is also supported by Democratic socialist politicians Carlos Ramiez Rosa and Rossana Rodriquez Sanchez.
“There are prominent socialists backing you on City Council. How do you identify politically?” WGN-TV’s Tahman Bradley asked Guzman.
“I’m a proud progressive and I think that’s the beautiful part about getting to do this work here in the community,” Guzman responded. “I have support of folks at all levels of government.”
The Toro campaign says the candidate was too busy rallying voters to take our question today. Among their activities – sending out this text of Toro with Governor Pritzker. The Guzman campaign called it “desperate.”
Asked about the text, Governor Pritzker made clear he’s staying out of the race.
“I’m not endorsing haven’t been engaged in an endorsement in that race,” the Illinois governor said.
Also competing, Dave Nayak, a doctor, who owns a farming business and runs a free asthma and allergy clinic.
“Our campaign is rooted in ideas. We have a plan to deliver better access to health care especially for those who don’t have it, who are uninsured and underinsured,” Nayak said. “I’d be the only senator who is a practicing doctor in the Senate. I’m going to try as best as I can drive down these insane deductible costs, these rising prescription drug costs.”
Nayak has put about $700,000 of his own money into the race but he failed to win support from prominent local officials.
“How do you win? Where are your supporters?” Bradley asked Nayak.
“Absolutely, so make no mistake, we’re an outsider in this race and we relish being the outsider,” Nayak responded.
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Rounding out the Democratic field, Geary Yonker, a community organizer, who ended last year with just $6,900 in his bank account.
Senator Toro provided a statement stating in part: “As State Senator, I plan to continue fighting in Springfield to realize the progressive goals shared by working families across my district.”
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