Chicago City Wire

15th Ward Alderman Ray Lopez is coming out hard against U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot as the two battle for a place in the runoff.

The two are likely battling for the second position on the ballot with Lightfoot’s star dropping considerably. 

“What do @chicagosmayor & @RepChuyGarcia have in common? Both have no qualms about using gangs for political benefit. Chuy’s grown son is a documented neighborhood terrorist, still bangin’ despite being in his 30s. He is not a victim. They know this b/c firm freely defended him,” Lopez said on Twitter.

Garcia’s 39-year-old son, Samuel R. Garcia, has long terrorized the congressman’s district and neighborhood near the congressman's home on 25th Street in the Little Village neighborhood.

He has been arrested several times for gang activities as a member of Two-Six, also known as the Gangster Two Six Nation.

The younger Garcia was caught illegally possessing a gun in 2021. He was charged with felony aggravated use of a weapon but was able to evade charges

In two incidents Samuel Garcia allegedly attacked police officers.

His father’s influence has helped him obtain top-flight legal representation from some of the city’s largest law firms.

Lt. John Garrido III, formerly an officer with the Chicago Police Department’s 16th District, opposes both Garcia and Lightfoot as well.

“(Chuy Garcia) would be no better than Lightfoot. He would be terrible for our community. I don't know if he still is hanging out with gangs and gangbangers, but Lightfoot would be the worst. We already know that. And I think Chuy would be just as bad,” Garrido told Chicago’s Morning Answer.

He called out Garcia for having ties to “Latin Kings gangbangers.”

“There's a picture out there," he said. "He marched with a couple of Latin Kings. It all came up the last time when he ran against Rahm. There's something just floating out there and an article on it and identifying who the guys in the picture with,” Garrido said.

Lightfoot has been criticized for allowing gangs to proliferate during her four years as mayor,

Gold Coast Exotic Motors’ Joe Perillo blamed Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx for building a “network of thieves” after thieves conducted a smash-and-grab at his luxury auto dealership.

Perillo said he voted for Lightfoot but will not make that mistake again. He blames her actions as mayor and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s inaction on the criminal environment.

“Their legacy is going to be they ruined a great city if we don't turn this around,” Perillo said.