Illinois 2024 main election outcomes at present: 4th District US Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García defeats Alderman Raymond Lopez, AP tasks

CHICAGO (WLS) — Three-term U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García has received the Democratic main in opposition to Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, the Related Press projected.

The congressman, who dominated in funding and endorsements, was dealing with his first main challenger since 2018, when he received congressional workplace.

García thanked those that helped make his reelection potential.

“I say ‘thanks’ from the underside of my coronary heart,” García mentioned.

The congressman, born in Mexico, spoke on Tuesday night time of his 41-year journey to carry extra range to all ranges of presidency.

Each García and Lopez are Democrats, however they’ve very totally different views on main points. Final month, ABC7 sat down with each candidates to speak about key points and what would possibly determine the race.

Lopez had argued García is not the fitting match for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District, which is predominantly Hispanic and consists of working-class communities and neighborhoods on town’s Southwest Aspect in addition to rich suburbs.

Lopez, 45, is likely one of the most conservative members of the Chicago Metropolis Council, usually backing police. He has known as García an “excessive Democrat.”

García, 67, says voters have repeatedly put him in workplace, together with in 2022 after a remap added new territory to the district. He is additionally a former state legislator and metropolis alderman.

García dominated in fundraising, elevating $376,000 final yr in comparison with Lopez’s $46,000 in the identical time interval, based on federal election information. He picked up endorsements from labor teams, whereas Lopez had help from the Chicago police union.

However that help was not sufficient for Lopez on Tuesday night time. He has unsuccessfully run for mayor, and now congressman.

“So Wednesday, metropolis council, again to work, again to doing what I do greatest. And hopefully, this will probably be a wakeup name for a lot of members of Congress who noticed challengers within the main that they should begin delivering for his or her districts,” Lopez mentioned on Tuesday night time.

Earlier Tuesday, Lopez mentioned his day was like most election days for him.

He introduced donuts to ballot employees and gave $50 at 20 websites for the employees to purchase lunch. He mentioned he has at all times introduced meals and added the money after the COVID-19 pandemic began, as a result of he mentioned the employees most well-liked to purchase lunch and never share.

“My judges truly requested if they might simply purchase their very own. I mentioned, ‘Superb. We may also help facilitate that,'” Lopez mentioned.

However providing money to ballot employees now has the eye of the lawyer basic’s Election Integrity Unit, which confirmed the workplace is wanting right into a criticism filed by García about Lopez’s presents to ballot employees.

“This can be a distraction after we ought to discuss points he is had months, to speak about issues. And all he needs is to speak about is the sort of donut I introduced for breakfast,” Lopez mentioned.

García mentioned the motion of giving out cash at a polling place is just not the picture Illinoisans need of their elected officers.

“It is effective to take donuts, however whenever you begin passing money round in envelopes, it certain raises lots of considerations,” García mentioned. “I believe anytime money is being unfold round at a polling place on Election Day certainty suggests there might be efforts to maneuver Chicago backwards. Chicago ain’t transferring backward.”

ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington mentioned García submitting the criticism is a option to emphasize the distinction between him and Lopez.

“He could also be, greater than something, making an attempt reinforce within the voters’ minds that Ray Lopez is the previous represents the Democratic machine’s previous,” Washington mentioned.

In the meantime, there isn’t any Republican working within the closely Democratic district, so García is predicted to win outright in November.

The Related Press contributed to this report.