Back of the Yards – Alderman Raymond Lopez, the 48‑year‑old representative of Chicago’s 15th Ward, filed his paperwork with the Chicago Board of Elections on Monday, confirming he will run for a fourth term and will not face any opponents. This marks the first time the veteran council member has been on the ballot unopposed.
Election filing and ward overview
Lopez first won the seat in 2015, defeating police officer Rafael Yanez in an open‑seat race. He beat Yanez again in 2019 and secured 65 percent of the vote in a three‑candidate contest in 2023. The 15th Ward includes parts of Back of the Yards, Gage Park, Brighton Park and West Englewood.
Conservative credentials on immigration and public safety
Although he began his political career as a Democratic Party member and served as the 15th Ward Democratic Committeeman from 2012, Lopez has increasingly taken conservative positions. He has repeatedly called for an end to Chicago’s sanctuary policy, criticized the city’s handling of a large influx of South American immigrants, and publicly supported the federal government’s immigration‑enforcement operations in Chicago.
Lopez also maintains a tough‑on‑crime stance, frequently speaking in support of police and law‑enforcement efforts to curb gang activity and improve ward services for residents.
LGBTQ+ advocacy and community ties
As one of Chicago’s first openly gay Latino aldermen, Lopez has long championed civil‑rights issues for the LGBTQ+ community, including marriage equality. He emphasizes that his advocacy does not conflict with his public‑safety priorities.
He first ran for alderman in 2011 after noticing that the incumbent in the neighboring West Lawn ward was unresponsive to constituents. Lopez’s own background includes twelve years as a skycap for Southwest Airlines and a high school education at St. Laurence in Burbank, Illinois.
Political battles and media presence
Lopez has often clashed with progressive members of the City Council. In 2019 he resigned from the city’s Latino Caucus after a fellow alderman campaigned against his re‑election. He briefly entered the 2022 mayoral race before withdrawing to focus on his aldermanic campaign, and he challenged U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia in the 2024 Democratic primary, ultimately losing to the incumbent.
He is a frequent guest on conservative media outlets and is known for his energetic speeches in council chambers, where he routinely critiques Mayor Brandon Johnson and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Security incidents and personal resilience
Lopez’s outspoken positions have made him a target of intimidation. In 2020, bricks were thrown through a window of his home, a neighbor’s garage was set on fire, and his ward office was vandalized twice in the same month.
Election timeline
Chicago’s municipal elections, which include races for mayor, alderperson and other local offices, are scheduled for February 23, 2027. With no opponent on the ballot, Lopez’s re‑election appears assured, allowing him to continue his focus on public safety, immigration enforcement and community advocacy.
Block Club’s Manny Ramos contributed to the original reporting.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
