Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is endorsing Theresa Mah for 2nd district Illinois state representative. 

Mah is competing against Alex Acevedo in the contentious Democratic primary race for the 2nd district seat, being vacated by retiring Rep. Edward "Eddie" Acevedo (D-Chicago). Alex Acevedo is Rep. Acevedo's son.

Garcia is scheduled to formally announce his endorsement of Mah during a Wednesday morning press conference.

Here is Garcia's endorsement statement:

This year's election primary will be filled with some of the most pivotal moments in the current era of politics.  From the race for President, to local races that will have a dynamic impact on working class communities.  Nationally, I've supported Bernie Sanders because we should focus our attention on the most qualified candidate, that seeks to unite us, has a proven track record of building coalitions and community, and has the experience and capacity to establish policy for the common good.  Locally, it should be no different, that is why today I endorse Theresa Mah for State Representative.  

Theresa Mah has been the most active of the two candidates within the communities of the 2nd District.  Since 2012, Theresa has served on the Illinois State Board of Education Advisory Council on Bilingual Education, and on the Kelly High School Local School Council.  Theresa has also served on the advisory board of the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, the UIC task force on funding for undocumented students, and is a co-founder of the Bridgeport Alliance.   On the campaign trial, Theresa has participated in four candidate forums, while Alex Acevedo has declined to participate in all of them.  It is clear, that only Theresa is ready to lead.  

In addition to her local work, in a a span of ten years Theresa Mah taught classes at New York University, University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern, and served as a professor at the University of Chicago and Bowling Green State University.  Theresa also has real government experience, having served as a senior policy advisor for former Governor Pat Quinn, and has a proven record of supporting immigrant communities having worked at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.  There is no doubt that Theresa's experience is vast, and authentically progressive. 

Today's challenges require real leadership with authentic abilities that reach beyond affinity politics, and that set a course for progress for all communities.  The Chicago Sun-times, the Chicago Tribune, the Coalition for a Better Chinatown, and the Independent Voters of Illinois Political Organization, having endorsed her, recognize those abilities in Theresa Mah, and so do I.  Theresa seeks to unite us, and will continue to build coalitions and work towards policies that are empathetic to the needs of working families and communities.  Therefore, I proudly endorse Theresa Mah for State Representative of the 2nd District.