Not selling out

Luis Davila was the first viable Chicago Hispanic candidate for the Illinois state legislature, opposing the Machine candidates who dominated in the Humboldt Park area in 1974.

Worried that he might sell out if he won, someone asked him at a candidate debate if he was just in the race for the money, thinking he may be more interested in being bought off than in representing his constituents.

“I’m the poor people’s candidate,” he responded, pulling out his pants pockets and showing they were empty. Everybody laughed.

He ran an unexpectedly strong race but lost.