Former Mayor Steve Hagerty endorsed Democrat and former FBI hostage negotiator Phil Andrew for Congress on Friday morning. Andrew is running to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District.
“I’ve decided to endorse Phil Andrew for Congress. I do so with great care and conviction,” Hagerty said in a video posted to Andrew’s social media. “We’re living through a time of profound uncertainty, and I believe this moment calls for a different kind of leadership.”
Hagerty served as mayor of Evanston from 2017 to 2021, preceding incumbent Mayor Daniel Biss, who is also running to succeed Schakowsky.
According to a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling on Feb. 20 and 21, Andrew, State Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) and Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala are all garnering about 5% support among respondents. All three trail frontrunners Biss, progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh and State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview).
In the video, Hagerty emphasized Andrew’s real-world experience, describing him as “one of the nation’s top hostage negotiators.” After leaving the FBI, Andrew also founded crisis and conflict mitigation firm PAX Group.
“When the stakes resemble a hostage crisis, you don’t send in a performer, you send in a negotiator,” Hagerty said in the video. “Phil Andrew has spent his life protecting others.”
On the campaign trail, Andrew has focused on combating gun violence and promoting affordability. He has also criticized Biss and Fine for simultaneously running for internal Democratic Party roles.
In a Thursday column published in the Evanston RoundTable, Hagerty urged voters to consider which candidate “demonstrates the judgment, the life experience and humility” necessary for the current political moment.
In January, Chicago 50th Ward Committeeperson and former congressional candidate Bruce Leon, who withdrew from the race following an alleged pressure campaign from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, endorsed Andrew.
Andrew, a survivor of gun violence, has also been endorsed by the gun violence-focused Brady PAC, Golden State Warriors head coach and former Chicago Bull Steve Kerr and Anne Roosevelt, granddaughter of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
“Phil isn’t running to be someone,” Hagerty said. “He’s running to serve.”
Email: [email protected]
Related Stories:
— Congressional candidate Phil Andrew talks gun violence prevention at campus forum
— Fifth of Democratic primary voters remain undecided in 9th Congressional District poll
— Bruce Leon drops out of congressional race, endorses Phil Andrew
