CHICAGO (February 26, 2015)--In the first major test since it was founded, United Working Families (UWF) played a vital role in the election results that shook the Chicago political landscape Tuesday.
From the success of Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, to defending Progressive Reform Caucus members, to forcing runoffs for Rahm rubber-stamp aldermen, to winning passage for the elected, representative school board question, UWF field and data-driven expertise was rewarded.
The new political affiliation of the Chicago Teachers Union, SEIU Healthcare Illinois, Grassroots Illinois Action and Action Now worked for 17 endorsed candidates, and Garcia, providing resources and organization at all levels.
A list of the endorsed candidates is here.
89: The cumulative percentage support for an elected, representative school board in the 37 wards where UWF helped place it on the ballot, which was opposed by Rahm Emanuel.
153,000: The number of doors knocked by UWF-affiliated canvassers on Election Day.
70,000: persuasion phone calls made over GOTV weekend to undecided voters
2: UWF-endorsed newcomers who won outright.
7: Out of seven, the number of Rahm-targeted Progressive Reform Caucus members who either won outright or advanced to runoff elections.
4: The number of UWF-endorsed candidates that forced runoffs against machine-backed candidates.
16: Out of 17, the number of UWF wards in which Rahm Emanuel lost votes compared to 2011. The exception was the 10th Ward, where the machine vote was split between Rahm and Gery Chico in 2011.
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