Democrats Endorse Challenger Kim Foxx For State's Attorney Over Anita Alvarez

By Kate Shepherd in News on Jan 15, 2016 5:37PM

Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez discusses the shooting of Ronald Johnson by Chicago police officer George Hernandez on December 7, 2015. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Controversial Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez has suffered a major blow to her reelection campaign.

The Cook County Democratic Party has endorsed challenger Kim Foxx in the state's attorney race, according to NBC5.

When the Democrats met back in August, they decided not to slate any candidate in the upcoming election. But they made an "unprecedented" decision last week to reopen their slating process.

"Their endorsement is a recognition that the criminal justice system is profoundly broken, and and we need new leadership to ensure justice for every Cook County resident—no matter what neighborhood they come from, no matter who they know or what their job is," Foxx said in a statement.

Foxx's powerful supporters include Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Alvarez still has the support of power broker and House Speaker Mike Madigan.

Activists have been calling for Alvarez, along with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, to resign since the Laquan McDonald shooting video was released in late November. She recently told Chicago Magazine that the protests against her are a political ploy.

Donna More, a former federal prosecutor and state prosecutor, is also running for the job but criticized the Democrats' choice to reopen the slating process, calling it "a blatant attempt to force feed an unqualified candidate down voter's throats.