Gutierrez retirement sets up wide-open race -- if he goes

Gutierrez retirement sets up wide-open race -- if he goes
BY LAURA WASHINGTON LauraSWashington@aol.com
Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times
July 2, 2007

Open congressional seats are like invitations to A-list dinner parties. Everyone angles to sup at the table.

Luis "El Gallito (The Little Fighting Rooster)" Gutierrez says he is battle-worn. He has declared he won't run for re-election to his 4th Congressional District seat in 2008. While his plans are viewed skeptically by many, potential successors have been popping up out of the woodwork. Here's just a few: Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado, Aldermen Danny Solis (25th) and Manny Flores (1st), and state Representatives Susana Mendoza and George Cardenas, and my personal favorite, 22nd Ward Ald. Ricardo Munoz.

If that's not enough, how about the real possibility that a non-Latino candidate, sensing the vote will be split seven ways to Sunday, may swoop in and steal the congressional seat? Even "El Gallito" says he "wouldn't be surprised" if a ringer popped up in the campaign.

Sixty percent of the district's registered voters are Latino, Gutierrez told me. It was designed to create a "Latino" voting bloc. The Hispanic population skews Mexican, but Puerto Ricans are more likely voters. The district spans Chicago's Near Northwest and Southwest sides to west suburban Cicero.

Economically, the district ranges from upscale Wicker Park and Bucktown to the blue-collar Little Village and west suburban Cicero.

Munoz, 42, was born in Monterrey, Mexico, moved to the South Side with his family at the age of 5, and became an American citizen at 23. Munoz is a City Council independent and labor stalwart best known for spearheading a hunger strike that forced the Chicago Public Schools to build the first new high school in Little Village in more than 90 years.

Munoz has been in campaign mode for months. Still, he has plenty of strong competition. Their biggest obstacle, however, may be the person who is not running: Gutierrez.

More than a few dollars and endorsements have not been forthcoming. Why? Because many are skeptical about Gutierrez's retirement plans, and for many good reasons: Gutierrez occupies a very safe seat in a very blue state. Democrats have wrested control of Congress and have a superb shot at the White House in 2008.

Not to mention that Gutierrez's signature issue has been immigration reform. He has staked his national reputation on pushing for the legalization of up to 12 million immigrants. Last Thursday, a hard-fought compromise plan was crushed in the U.S. Senate, leaving immigration reform dead in the water until after the 2008 elections.

It's hard to believe that Gutierrez, 53, won't want to stay around Congress to try again.

"I love Chicago, Laura. I want to go back home," Gutierrez said. "What I've told people is that I am retiring from Congress. As we speak today, there is nothing I can think of that has changed my mind."

Still, The Little Rooster adds, would-be candidates and congressional colleagues alike are assiduously trying to talk him out of it. "There are many people who have encouraged me to stay. It's hard to tell your friends, 'It's over.' "

El Gallito didn't earn his nickname by walking away from a fight.