Another Hat in the Ring

By Kevin Robinson in News on Apr 30, 2007 1:50PM

As Luis Gutierrez makes the rounds for Barack Obama, Latino politicians around the city are jockeying for the opportunity to run for his soon-to-be vacated Congressional seat. Gutierrez has announced that he will "retire" in 2008, but makes no mention of what he will do after that. Last week, Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado (D - 8th) announced that he had created a campaign committee to raise funds for an '08 congressional bid. City Alderman Ricardo Munoz (22nd) has also formally announced his intentions to run, forming a congressional campaign committee and, back in March, raising the funds to run.

After declining to take on Daley for mayor last fall, Gutierrez has been busy campaigning for Barack Obama and promoting immigration-reform legislation in Congress. It's a fair bet that he's anticipating a Democratic win next November and is no doubt planning on playing a role in whatever administration is in the White House.

While Gutierrez hasn't made an official announcement that he won't run again, it's not been a secret that the 2nd District seat will be open next election season. Other expected candidates include Alderman Danny Solis (25th) and Manny Flores (1st). After all of the wrangling that went on in the Mexican wards on the near South Side this winter, expect the race to replace Gutierrez to be tough.