Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed Anthony Joel Quezada to replace Carlos Ramirez-Rosa as the alderman for Chicago's 35th Ward. On April 7, Quezada was confirmed by the City Council with a vote of 32-11. The new appointment, however, has raised questions due to its similarities with the previous alderman.

Dr. D, a producer on the Ben Joravsky Show podcast, noted, "And hey, let's welcome our new 35th Ward alderman who I got to be honest, it seems a lot like our former 35th Ward alderman, like almost identical."

Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, who has been favored by Mayor Brandon Johnson, resigned two months ago following his appointment to lead the Chicago Park District. Ramirez-Rosa's tenure saw a decline two years ago due to his attempt to block Alderman Emma Mitts from a City Council chamber before a vote concerning Chicago's sanctuary city status.

Quezada, like Ramirez-Rosa, is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. The number of DSA aldermen remains at seven. The appointment process has been scrutinized as Chicago allows its mayor to appoint aldermen with City Council approval, a measure criticized by those who see it as a breach of checks and balances.

At 29, Quezada is the youngest alderman currently serving Chicago. His views reflect socialist ideologies, focusing on increased taxation for the wealthy and identifying capitalism as harmful to the working class. Quezada previously defeated Luis Arroyo Jr. in a race for Cook County Board of Commissioners with 35% of the vote, benefiting from the prior conviction of Arroyo's father, a former state representative.

Quezada worked in Ramirez-Rosa's ward office before gaining his position as county commissioner. Reflecting on his time there, he stated, "We're actively organizing."

The selection process for Quezada's appointment has come under scrutiny. Daniel Tobon, an army veteran and entrepreneur who sought the aldermanic position, criticized the process, referring to it as "political theater." He remarked, "The mayor has every right to appoint whoever he wants. He should just come out and say that instead of kind of building this Kabuki, this political theory, theater, to justify or make it seem like it's more democratic than it is, right?"

Quezada faced resistance during his confirmation, with 11 aldermen voting against him. Debra Silverstein, the only Jewish member of the City Council, cited Quezada's participation in events she deemed anti-Israel in explaining her "No" vote, stating, "I cannot support somebody who has been at anti-Israel and anti-Semitic events."

Quezada has apologized for a racial slur he posted on Twitter as a teenager, an issue highlighted by media reporting. However, concerns remain regarding his views. He has critically addressed mainstream Democrats and called for increased taxation on the wealthy, critiquing them for hindering progress toward a "socialist utopia."

His arguments against the traditional view of the American dream also attracted attention. During a discussion on the Ben Joravsky Show podcast, he contended, "That's not what the American dream is about. And actually, I would argue, I would possibly totally argue that democratic socialism is more about the American dream than capitalism is."