Retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky is expected to soon endorse Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss as her successor representing the North Side and north suburban 9th Congressional District, according to a person familiar with the decision.
The endorsement could be the most coveted stamp of approval in the crowded Democratic primary, as Schakowsky has represented the district for two-and-a-half decades and announced her retirement last year.
It would also mark a departure from Schakowsky’s previous plan, according to a source at the time, to avoid weighing in on the more than a dozen-candidate field in favor of an open primary.
In a response to a request to comment on the expected endorsement, Schakowsky’s office said: “Stay tuned.”
Biss’ campaign declined to comment.
The expected endorsement was first reported by Evanston Now.
With the March 17 primary a little more than two months away, Biss appears to be among the top fundraisers in the race, along with progressive commentator Kat Abughazaleh and state Sen. Laura Fine. Updated fundraising reports from all candidates are due later this month.
Whoever succeeds Schakowsky, 81, will mark a generational change, as she took over the post in 1999 from U.S. Rep. Sidney Yates, who held it for almost 50 years.
Abughazaleh entered the race before Schakowsky announced she planned to retire, essentially making her a challenger to the longtime congresswoman at a point early in the campaign. Abughazaleh has risen to the upper echelons of fundraisers, in part due to a massive social media audience.
Fine issued a statement late Tuesday, before any announcement from Schakowsky, criticizing the congresswoman’s expected decision.
“I respect Congresswoman Schakowsky’s service, but this race is about the future of our community, not the past,” Fine said. “She’s wrong about Daniel Biss and my record shows that I’ll fight the hardest to protect residents in the 9th Congressional district from the billionaires and insurance companies that Donald Trump is determined to let screw us over.”
Fine has recently drawn scrutiny for seemingly receiving the tacit backing of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which has pressured another Jewish candidate, Bruce Leon, to leave the race, according to Leon.
Fine has also received dozens of endorsements from local elected officials.
Biss, who was elected to a second term as Evanston’s mayor last year, quickly vaulted to a competitive fundraising position when he announced his congressional campaign. He previously served eight years in the General Assembly and unsuccessfully campaigned for governor in 2018.
Other candidates in the Democratic primary include state Sen. Mike Simmons, state Rep. Hoan Huynh, Skokie School District 73.5 board member Bushra Amiwala, retired FBI special agent Phil Andrew and former federal prosecutor and former Microsoft strategist Nick Pyati.
