Garcia To Challenge Emanuel In 2015: "Chicago Wants Change"

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia has announced he's running for mayor next year.

"This campaign is about the quality of life of ordinary people," he said Monday. "Chicago wants change, and that's why I'm stepping forward to circulate my nominating petitions and advance an alternative agenda at the proper time."

A former alderman and state senator, Garcia said he's challenging Emanuel, in part, because he believes the mayor is out of touch, and cares more about the wealthy and downtown than average residents in the neighborhoods.

"Mayor Emanuel has shown that he believes in trickle-down economics; that somehow, if the well-to-do in the city and the city center, the downtown area, are doing well and thriving, that somehow that prosperity will come to the neighborhoods. That hasn't been the case," he said.

Garcia, 58, said he's been meeting with neighborhood residents for more than a week about running against Emanuel.

"They have urged me to come forward, to put forward a new agenda that has neighborhoods at the center of governance," he said.

The commissioner said, when Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis decided not to run for mayor after having surgery for a brain tumor, he decided to join the race.

"I have been in conversations with Karen Lewis, essentially to wish her a full and speedy recovery. We will continue to discuss the future of the city. I will probably seek her endorsement," he said.

Garcia joins Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd), former alderman Bob Shaw, and conservative activist William Kelly in challenging Emanuel in the February election.