Ald. Matt Rodgers (8th) endorsed State Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) on Wednesday, becoming the first councilmember to publicly back a congressional candidate other than Mayor Daniel Biss.

In a news release from Simmons’ campaign, Rodgers called the Rogers Park Democrat a “proven legislator with deep roots in the community.”

“As a product of public housing, champion for public transit, and defender of public education, Mike views public office not as a goal but a means to improve people’s lives,” Rodgers wrote. “We need his voice and his passion in Congress.” 

In an interview with The Daily Wednesday evening, Rodgers said he’s known Simmons “for quite a while.” His district previously stretched into parts of Evanston, and he once served as Rodgers’ own state senator, the councilmember said.

Rodgers said his endorsement of Simmons over other candidates — including Biss — should not come as a surprise.

“I evaluated a bunch of different candidates and looked at a bunch of different candidates and what they were bringing to the table, what I thought they could accomplish and what I viewed as their core mission for running for this office,” Rodgers said. 

He added that this year’s crowded Democratic primary, which features 16 candidates, could ultimately be decided by a small number of voters.

Meanwhile, Biss has garnered endorsements from Schakowsky and five councilmembers: Alds. Krissie Harris (2nd), Shawn Iles (3rd), Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th), Bobby Burns (5th) and Juan Geracaris (9th).

Alds. Clare Kelly (1st), Tom Suffredin (6th) and Parielle Davis (7th) have made no public endorsements in the race, but FEC records show Suffredin donated $250 to former FBI negotiator Phil Andrew’s campaign in September.

Evanston Township High School District 202 Board of Education member Leah Piekarz also announced her support for Simmons Wednesday, describing him as “of and for the 9th District” in the news release. 

“His service as a State Senator demonstrates his bold, progressive voice and real world legislative experience,” Piekarz wrote.

Biss has been endorsed by District 202 Board President Pat Savage-Williams and Board member Pat Maunsell. 

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