Today's Chicago Sun-Times headline says it all:
"New poll: Emanuel, Garcia in 'dead heat' in mayoral runoff"
This game-changing news is spreading like wildfire, from USA Today to the International Business Times. The independent poll numbers, showing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a 43-39% statistical dead heat according to the pollster, comes in the aftermath of last Tuesday's historic election in which Jesús "Chuy" García forced Emanuel into a runoff election on April 7 -- a stunning result that showed Chicago voters are fed up with the policies of "Mayor 1%" favoring the rich and hurting working families.
Progressives stopped Rahm's corporate agenda dead in its tracks. Because of what happened in Chicago, corporate Democrats across America are thinking twice before they launch another attack on our schools, our pensions, and our communities.
That's why DFA has endorsed Chuy García as the candidate who can put an end to Rahm Emanuel's cronyism and misrule. With polls showing him in a "dead heat" with Emanuel in the polls, now is the time for DFA members like you to pitch in to support Chuy García's exciting run against Rahm.
This critical new poll shows that Rahm is on the ropes -- and Chuy García can finish the job. The election is coming up quickly, which means now is the time to step up. Can you join DFA today and chip in $3 or more to help Chuy defeat Rahm?
https://secure.actblue.com/...
Chuy García has spent his life fighting for justice and equality. In the 1980s he served on the City Council as an ally of progressive reformer Harold Washington, Chicago's first black mayor. In the 1990s García became the first Mexican-American person elected to the Illinois State Senate. García fought Arne Duncan when Arne led the Chicago schools, forcing the city to finally build a long-promised community high school. García now serves as a progressive leader on the Cook County Board of Commissioners -- preparing him well to lead Chicago.
Chuy García has vowed to reverse Rahm’s destructive policies that have benefited the rich, and return power to the people -- especially in Chicago’s schools.
Rahm Emanuel closed more than 50 public schools in 2013, mostly in African-American neighborhoods, in favor of charter schools often run by Wall Street hedge funders. The effects were devastating to the community and especially to Chicago’s kids. Because Rahm appoints the school board, the public had no way to stop it from happening.
Chuy García will offer a better path -- one that will help all of Chicago’s children get a good education. He will stop the school closures, support neighborhood schools, and fight to restore an elected school board.
With support from the progressive movement across the country, Chuy García can put a stop to Rahm Emanuel's attacks on public schools once and for all. Rahm’s wealthy allies are going to spend even more money on attack ads -- and that's why García is going to need our help to win.
As progressives have argued, and as this new poll shows, those attack ads can be overcome -- and with humor. As Chuy García recently joked, Rahm has been "on TV since Thanksgiving, and it’s the least successful Rahm-com ever."
The election is right around the corner and Rahm Emanuel is on the ropes. Let's finish the job and help elect Chuy García. Please chip in $3 or more now and spread the word to your friends.
https://secure.actblue.com/...
Thank you for standing up to Rahm Emanuel and helping support a great progressive leader.
- Jim
Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America