Into the Fray

By Kevin Robinson in News on Mar 19, 2007 1:50PM

While the rest of the city was preparing to get sauced this past weekend, and the media was running after Conrad Black, DNC Chairman Howard Dean made a trip to Chicago for a series of fund raisers last week. And Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd) took the opportunity to make some connections, working the Howard Dean crowd for volunteers. He also went ahead and filed the paperwork to form a congressional campaign committee. He also held several fundraisers in DC last weekend.

There has been some speculation over who will step in and replace 4th District Congressman Luis Gutierrez, and certainly rumors abound. It's no secret that Gutierrez has his eye on something bigger, and has already announced that he won't seek reelection on 2008. After flirting with taking on Daley for mayor, he's now making nice with Barack Obama. You can bet that he's hoping to get a spot in the next administration should a democrat win the White House next year. Ald. Danny Solis (25th) has also indicated that he would like Gutierrez's seat in Congress.

As the dust settles from the latest round of turf wars and in-fighting in the South Side Mexican community, it looks like the various factions are already looking ahead to the next battle. Munoz is one of the more independent voices in the city council, and has long been at odds with the pro-Daley Hispanic Democratic Organization. Solis is no stranger to these kinds of fights, either, and you can be sure that as the date draws closer, more people will step into the fray to run for Gutierrez's open seat.

Image via Heigh-ho