Despite his loss to former journalist, Silvana Tabares, Rudy Lozano delivered a speech about hope and continued commitment to serving the 21st district of Illinois.
Supporters waited for more than two hours for the candidate of their choice, Lozano, to arrive at the Mi Tierra restaurant in Little Village where he addressed and mingled with guests during the event.
Rudy Lozano, a long-time community activist, ran against Silvana Tabares, a former journalist, to represent the 21st district of Illinois.
The district is located in the Southwest Side of Chicago and stretches into the suburbs. The district encompasses the following neighborhoods: Little Village, Brighton Park, Garfield Ridge, Stickney, Bedford Park, Cicero, Summit, Riverside and Lyons Township.
Tabares defeated her opponent Lozano by 318 votes. Tabares received 57 percent of the votes and Lozano 42 percent.
Tabares, 33, holds an undergraduate degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. She worked as an editor for Extra, a bilingual newspaper, prior to running for state representative.
Tabares’ platform, known as the Tabares Plan, includes three key issues: employment for residents, safer neighborhoods and quality schools for children. Tabares’ plan includes building more schools to address the problem of overcrowded classrooms, provide more funding to long-term and secure jobs, and provide additional funding to ensure that more police officers are on patrol in areas where crime is most prevalent.
But some constituents said they wished Lozano would have won.
“I am a Democrat at heart. And, I believe in the work Rudy Lozano is doing. He is helping people; especially immigrants like myself.” said Barbara De Leon, a native of Guatemala who moved to the United States seeking political asylum.
De Leon, 35, said that she believes Lozano is the ideal person to represent the district.
“I watch the news and read all the articles related to this race,” said De Leon.
Lozano’s supporters chanted “Rudy, Rudy, Rudy” as he made his way through the crowded restaurant and on to the podium to deliver what most, including De Leon, assumed would be his victory speech.
“We have nothing to be ashamed of. We fought a hard, honest and a campaign of integrity,” said Lozano. “We look upon every challenge as an opportunity to empower, not only our community, but to empower workers and to empower those without a voice.”
“We will continue to do that work. We will continue to fight. . . We fought with a true vision of the kind of community and the kind of society we want to see in the future . . . and that is what we’re going to take away tonight. We are going to immerse ourselves in the issues that we care about,” said Lozano.
“I know it’s a little bit of a disappointment right now, trust me, it’s settling in for me as well. But, the more I think about it, the more I think we have work to do and I am not ready to give up yet,” said Lozano.
Immediately after stepping down from the podium, Lozano, joined by his wife, mother and two brothers, were greeted with hugs, hand shakes and words of encouragement by his many supporters.
“I am surprised he lost. I really thought he was going to win. It’s disappointing,” said De Leon about the loss.
Lozano’s maternal cousin, Robert Rico Jr., who spent more than two months going door to door campaigning for his cousin said he is hurt by the loss.
“If it was the first time, it would be okay. . . But, two times in a row?” said Rico.
Rico described his cousin as someone who is committed to serving his community and representing their interests.
Tabares’ staff could not be reached for comment prior to publication.
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