Gutierrez On Obama's Senate Seat: Race Or Ethnicity Shouldn't Be Considered

by Josh Kalven on November 15, 2008 - 1:45pm

Following a moving immigration-related event in Chicago's Pilsen neigborhood today, Rep. Luis Gutierrez responded to speculation surrounding Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat, scheduled to be officially vacated tomorrow.  Gutierrez, who is reportedly on Gov. Blagojevich's short-list of possible replacements, described himself as "honored and humbled to be considered" and said that he plans to talk to the governor on Monday about what "he expects of the next senator from Illinois."  He added that he's "not looking for a promotion," thought it's clear he's interested. 

When asked about Sen. Dick Durbin's statement Friday that race shouldn't be the only consideration in picking Obama's successor, Gutierrez wholeheartedly agreed: "The quicker we get away from ... simply referring to elected officials by the color of their skin and their national origin the better [for] this country."  Watch it:

We'll have more coverage of the event itself on Monday.

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Comments

4thCongressional (not verified) on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 19:15

Luis runs the most gerrymandered Congressional District in the Nation solely to elect a person of his ethnic origin. If he truly believes what he says he would advocate getting rid of this gerrymandered district where he does more to represent Foreign Nationals than his own constituents. Senator?? God Help Us.

miggs (not verified) on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 19:26

Luis Gutierrez has never done a thing for this district. He grandstands on immigration, then goes to Puerto Rico. God help us indeed.

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