Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss announces run for Congress

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FOX 32's Paris Schutz has the latest on politics in Chicago, the state of Illinois, and across the nation.

EVANSTON, Ill. - Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss on Thursday announced his candidacy for Illinois' 9th Congressional District, entering the race to replace longtime Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who is not seeking reelection.

The backstory:

Biss, a former state legislator and mathematics professor, said he is running to fight for progressive values, cut costs for working families, and stand up to what he described as threats from President Donald Trump and his allies.

"I’ve never backed down from a fight, and I’ve won some big ones—on LGBTQ+ rights, campaign finance reform, protecting abortion access, defending the environment, and more," Biss said in a campaign announcement.

Biss touted his record as mayor, saying he championed climate and campaign finance reforms and has been outspoken on reproductive rights and immigration issues. He previously served in both the Illinois House and Senate, where he passed legislation expanding access to abortion, protecting LGBTQ+ youth, and strengthening consumer data privacy laws.

Biss lives in Evanston with his wife, Karin, a professor and former Peace Corps volunteer, and their two children.