By Naimah Latif
With his wife by his side and flanked by a group of supporters holding signs that said “We Still Believe,” former Chicago Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson officially announced his candidacy for President of the United States at Press conference held Monday, June 1, 2015.
“I decided to get into this race for President because I believe the common man and woman in this country need a candidate they can identify with,” he stated. “I have heard the cries of despair. The people are in pain. Voters in our country feel like they have been tossed aside by leaders of both political parties.”
Dr. Wilson joins former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U. S. Senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders and Attorney Michael Steinberg in seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination.
“I have looked over the field of other candidates and I don’t believe there is a one who really understands what the people want and what the people need,” he said. “In fact, I believe all of the other candidates are running to take care of their own needs, not the needs of the people.”
Dr. Wilson is not the only African American in the 2016 Presidential race. Retired neurosurgeon has declared his candidacy under the Republican Party and has reportedly raised $12 million so far.
“I am a Democrat…but I’m not too keen on party labels,” Dr. Wilson declared. “Make no mistake, I am running as the anti-tax Democrat. I strongly oppose putting more taxes on hard working people who are doing all they can to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads.”
Dr. Wilson believes his experience as a successful businessman will be good for America.
“I’m living proof of the American Dream. I came up from the cotton fields of Louisiana,” he emphasized. “I know all about flipping burgers at McDonalds. I’ve done it. Today, I own a multi-million dollar business that came about through hard work and never giving up. And I will use my business expertise to help bring America back to the top.”