Pat Dowell is already the alderman of the 3rd Ward, which is in the Bronzeville neighborhood, and she was planning to run for Illinois Secretary of State.
When she didn’t receive the support of other Democrats for that office, however, her motives changed.
And when Congressman Bobby Rush decided he wouldn’t run for re-election this year in the First District of Illinois, Dowell decided that would be her next venture.
Dowell announced her candidacy for U.S. Congress on Jan. 5, joining a crowded field of Democratic candidates.
“I think I can distinguish myself because I’m someone in this race, unlike others who are getting in the race, I have experience in a legislative body,” Dowell said. “I’ve got significant experience building coalitions and consensus among people with different points of view.”
Rush, a Democrat, announced in early January he will not seek a 16th term. He has endorsed Karin Norington-Reaves, who is CEO of Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.
Other Democratic candidates include Jahmal Cole, founder of My Block, My Hood, My City; the Rev. Chris Butler, teachers Kirby Birgans and Dee Nix; and attorney Michael Thompson.
The primary election is set for June 28.
In a news release announcing her candidacy, Dowell praised Rush for “his lifetime of service to further civil rights and protect underserved communities, particularly those of color.”
She said she will work to ensure that the First District receives proper federal resources, safeguard voting rights and access, be a strong voice for gun control, protect Social Security and Medicare, and provide healthcare for all.
According to the city website, Dowell is a former city planner and deputy commissioner of neighborhood planning under several mayors, and she was the executive director of the Near West Side Community Development Corporation.
In the mid-1990s, she was the founding executive director of the Mid-South Planning and Development Commission.
In the City Council, she is the chairperson of several committees pertaining to the budget and governmental operations.
Dowell said her other priorities in Congress would be securing federal funding to continue to extend the Red Line further south and improving U.S. Postal Service mail delivery.
Residents have complained for several years about their mail.
“It comes late in the day,” Dowell said. “Some of our seniors are missing medical, pharmaceutical deliveries. Other people are missing their bills. So this is a bread-and-butter issue that I want to focus on as well.”
Dowell said she feels confident running in a crowded field because she was already running a campaign and has infrastructure in place. Pledges and donations have come in since she switched races, she said.
She feels running for Congress is “a better fit” as she continues her career as a public servant.
“I was considering running against the party [in the Secretary of State] race,” Dowell said, “but who knew that Congressman Rush would decide to retire?”
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