Chico leads senate pack - Mundo Latino: news events

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, Dec, 2003

Gery Chico, going for the Democratic Illinois senate nomination, continued to set the pace for fundraising by raising the most money to date. In the FEC filing in October, Chico reported raising a total of over $2.8 million.

So far, he is the only Latino running for the US Senate, although former US Treasurer Rosario Marin is said to be planning to run in California.

Chico's successful fundraising allowed him to become the first candidate from either party to run ads in Chicago, in addition to most downstate markets. "We are very excited about our third quarter numbers and out" overall raising to date of more than $2.8 million," said campaign manager Michael Golden. "The 'Chico for Senate Campaign' is on track with the resources necessary to win the Democratic primary election on March 16."

Chico drew praise from the press for his strong showing this quarter. Roll Call said, "Former Chicago School Board President Gery Chico (D) ... continued to impress with $579,000 raised in the third quarter."

The Chicago Sun-Times named Democrats Gery Chico and Barack Obama, and Republicans Jack Ryan and Andrew McKenna Jr the winners in the first televised debate with 11 candidates.