Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), who announced in May that she wouldn’t seek re-election, endorsed Daniel Biss, mayor of Evanston, Ill., to represent her district on Wednesday.
The Jewish mayor “delivers” and has “expanded health-care access, stood up to ICE and fought against corporate greed,” the congresswoman said. She added that she was “proud” to endorse him. (ICE refers to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.)
Biss stated that he is “truly humbled” to have the congresswoman’s support.
Schakowsky, who has a record of criticizing the Israeli government, has drawn protests from within her party for not being more critical of the Jewish state. She skipped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint session of Congress on July 24, 2024, and has called herself “one of the most outspoken voices for justice for the Palestinians and currently a vocal critic of this current administration in the State of Israel.”
Biss has said that he opposes the movement to boycott Israel. He has also referred to the “atrocities committed by Netanyahu’s government” and said Washington ought to “halt the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel and recognize a Palestinian state.”
The Democratic primary for the seat is scheduled for March 17.
