Incumbents Flowers, Toro lose Chicago-area Primaries
Appointed Sen. Natalie Toro (D-Chicago) addresses supporters Tuesday night after losing her primary in the 20th Senate District against progressive Graciela Guzman. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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One of the longest legislative careers in state history and a short legislative career each came to an end Tuesday.
40-year-incumbent Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), who was targeted for defeat by House Speaker Chris Welch, fell in her bid for re-election.
Flowers was defeated by Michael Crawford, a Dean at The Chicago School by around 4,200 votes out of 11,000 cast a margin of around 69% to 31% in the southside-based 31st House district.
Welch, Democratic members, and unions combined to raise more than a million dollars to boost Crawford.
Flowers told the Chicago Tribune “that it took a million and a half dollars to defeat me.”
“I gave it my best shot, and the money has spoken,” Flowers said.
Appointed Sen. Natalie Toro (D-Chicago) also lost her primary Tuesday night. Toro, a former teacher, was appointed to replace Cristina Pacione-Zayas, who resigned last year to join the administration of Chicago Mayor Brandon Jonson.
Pacione-Zayas and numerous progressive groups backed Graciela Guzman for the seat. She sailed passed Toro and well funded challenger Dr. Dave Nayak.