Flores Bows Out

By Kevin Robinson in News on Aug 30, 2007 1:00PM

Nearly two weeks after Congressman Luis Gutierrez announced that he will, indeed, seek a ninth term in Congress (after announcing that he wouldn't run again), First Ward Alderman Manny Flores has announced that he won't seek the congressional seat. "I did this of my own accord. He's my friend," Flores told the Sun-Times, adding that Gutierrez didn't try to persuade him.

Of course, Gutierrez's decision shouldn't be too shocking. The conventional wisdom is that if he wants to run for Mayor of Chicago next time around, he'll need to do it from a position of power. With Jesse Jackson Jr.'s wife in the City Council and several aldermen owing at least part of their recent election to Jr.'s neo-machine, it'll be difficult for Luis to get a foothold in that race.

Although the popular Flores has decided to bide his time, going back to regulating the distribution of commercial handbills after raising money for a Congressional campaign, it remains to be seen if 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas will stay in the race or not. Meanwhile, Gutierrez misses his shot in a potentially Democratic White House Administration next time around. But most of all, voters in the Fourth Congressional District miss the chance to have a referendum on the issues that affect them. While it's a fair bet that a Republican wouldn't stand a chance in the Fourth, at least a crowded primary might have fostered some debate.