Bobby Rush 'resents' use of Harold Washington's legacy

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Some African American leaders are challenging Jesus "Chuy" Garcia's attempt to resurrect the black-Hispanic coalition that helped elect Mayor Harold Washington.

Twenty-eight years after his death, the late Mayor Harold Washington is still a factor in the 2015 mayor's race, and Congressman Bobby Rush doesn't think that should be the case.

"No matter what they may say about this mayor, he gets results," said U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Chicago.

After praising his rediscovered political pal Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Rush made his controversial comment regarding candidates campaigning on the legacy of the late Harold Washington.

"We are resentful of this continuing to raise the success and the affection that we had for Harold Washington," Rush said.

Rush never said Garcia's name, but was clearly referring to Garcia's frequent references to his relationship to Washington as a city alderman and political ally during the 1980s.

"There are probably good parallels between the campaign of Harold Washington and this campaign," Garcia said.

Garcia, who visited a West Side food pantry with Rev. Jesse Jackson, said - like Washington - his focus is on neighborhood revitalization. Rev. Jackson recalled the regular Democrats back then opposed Washington like the regular Democrats today oppose Garcia.

"Neighborhood development is Harold's legacy. It is Dr. King's legacy. It is hope," Rev. Jackson said.

Congressman Rush, who made his political mark as a product of the Washington movement, also said politicians using the late mayor's legacy are "cheapening" it. And he had no regrets for supporting the current mayor.

"There's some of us who are part of the legacy of Harold Washington who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Rahm Emanuel," Rush said.