Add the Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus to the growing list of those pulling out of the race to replace Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
The influential anti-gay evangelical mega-church pastor folded his long-shot mayoral campaign and endorsed pro-LGBT Gery Chico for mayor, reports the Tribune.
Chico stood with the minister at his Humboldt Park New Life Covenant Church to receive the endorsement. De Jesus had been running for mayor, but did not register any sizeable support in the Tribune’s last poll. In a statement from the Chico campaign, De Jesus said he is backing Mayor Daley’s former chief of staff and Board of Education president because he feels Chico is the most qualified for the job. De Jesus said that the two share a commitment to jobs, fighting poverty and homelessness.
The Sun-Times adds: "De Jesus was losing his battle to prove he had gathered enough signatures to stay on the ballot and a Board of Elections hearing officer recommended he be removed."
In 2009, Daley considered appointing Jesus to the vacant 26th Ward alderman seat. De Jesus' candidacy was promoted by the outgoing alderman but later rejected by Daley after heated opposition from Chicago's LGBT leaders. The previous year, De Jesus made national headlines with his opposition to Chicago's proposed gay high school.
Two major mayoral candidates also withdrew in the past two weeks: Veteran progressive/pro-equality Rep. Danny Davis and outspoken anti-gay mega-church pastor and Illinois State Sen. James T. Meeks, who was the only black legislator voting against the recent landmark vote on civil unions.
Some Background...
Anti-Gay Pastor: Beliefs Will Not Influence Role as Alderman
Anti-Gay Minister Appointed as a Chicago Alderman?
Opposition Grows to Anti-Gay Rev. De Jesus as Alderman
Anti-Gay Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus to Run for Mayor?
Danny Davis Drops Out of Chicago Mayor's Race
Anti-Gay Rev. Meeks Withdraws from Chicago Mayor's Race