Janice Schakowsky

Retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) endorsed Mayor Daniel Biss’ campaign for Congress Wednesday, calling him “an effective and fearless fighter for progressive causes.”

Her coveted endorsement cements Biss’ frontrunner status in the crowded Illinois’ 9th Congressional District Democratic primary to replace Schakowsky, which features 16 active candidates. The race is the most competitive to represent Evanston and its neighboring municipalities in the U.S. House of Representatives since Schakowsky was first elected in 1998.

In a Wednesday morning news release, Schakowsky wrote that she feels a “deep responsibility” to ensure residents are represented by someone who “fights for our progressive values, has a deep understanding of our community, and knows how to get big things done.”

“I am confident that Daniel Biss is that person, and I am proud to endorse him,” Schakowsky wrote.

In a video released by the Biss campaign on X Wednesday, Schakowsky lauded Biss’ political record, s