Progressive Democrat Chuy Garcia Announces Support for Madigan for State Party Chair

CHICAGO - Newly elected Democratic State Central Committeeman Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia released the following statement April 20, 2018:



"As a progressive Democrat, it is my intention to support a state party chair who will work with me to advance our most fundamental goals. I will support a chair who shares my commitment to true economic justice for all, my belief that a hard day's work should be rewarded with a living wage, and my dedication to fighting for affordable and accessible health care. I will support a chair who, above all, knows that our goal as a Democratic Party and as a progressive movement must be to build a broad coalition that can deliver this change. Michael Madigan is the clear choice.



"As chairman and as a legislator, Madigan is building an ideologically, racially and geographically diverse coalition, and will turn a statewide majority into progressive action. Madigan helped put a $15 minimum wage on the governor's desk, is fighting to make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, is working to stop insurance companies from padding their profits at the expense of patients' health, is supporting a woman's right to choose, is fighting for equal pay for women, is leading efforts to achieve economic justice, and is working to enact the strongest gun safety measures in the country. These and many other progressive reforms are moving forward because Michael Madigan puts first the interests of the people of Illinois and the progressive principles of the Democratic Party. These are despite the roadblocks erected by Governor Bruce Rauner and the Republican Party that he bankrolls.



"As we look ahead to November and then to 2020, Democrats of all ideologies and backgrounds share the common goals of advancing the interests of Illinoisans and stopping the Trump-Rauner agenda. While extremists like Trump and Rauner hold veto pens and work to drag our communities backward, all who want progressive change must work to build bigger and broader majorities in Congress and the Statehouse, organize to defeat Trump and Rauner at the ballot box, and stand together against their extreme agenda. My choice to join me in this fight is Michael Madigan." ###