We unseated the corrupt political machine in the 40th Ward today! Every single person who knocked on a door, made a phone call, talked to a neighbor, cooked a meal, financially donated -- that is what got us the W tonight.
Together we took on the corrupt political machine at its worst, and WE WON. We fought off a million and a half dollars of dirty money - they outspent us 7 ½ to 1. That’s not the story we’re used to hearing, in Chicago. Right?
Growing up, I didn’t think of myself as the kind of person who runs for office, because I didn’t see anyone like me hold public office. That’s not how it’s going to be anymore. Tonight, voters in the 40th Ward closed the book that tethered them to the old corrupt political machine. Tonight, they voted to be on the right side of history.
I am a product of segregation, gentrification, the lack of investment in schools, and the lack of resources that so many marginalized groups face in our town. It took me well into my adult life to realize -- we don’t struggle by accident.
This year, neighbors in the 40th Ward looked at that system, at that mindset, and at that way of running our city, and they said, “No. That’s not our vision for the city.”
We came together to fight for affordable housing, for open and transparent government, and for a city that devotes its resources to its people, not to corporations and private development. And we won.
You all showed that it can be done. And you are going to hold me and the rest of City Council accountable until we have that city that works for all of us.
We are all neighbors here in the 40th Ward. Starting May 20th, we’re neighbors with a new alderman -- and I am counting on every single one of you to keep me accountable. Don’t let up; don’t stop fighting. Neighbors working together can accomplish anything. We proved that tonight.
One last time, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am proud of what we’ve all done, and I will do everything I can to be worthy of your efforts.
Thank you,
Andre Vasquez
