Anabel Abarca

Anabel Abarca is an American politician, who served in the Chicago City Council as alderperson for the 12th ward from 2022 to 2023. She was appointed to the position by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and confirmed by the City Council in December 2022, following the retirement of George Cardenas.[1][2][3] She ran for re-election to a full term, but lost to Julia Ramirez. The 12th ward is on Chicago's southwest side, and includes portions of Brighton Park, McKinley Park, and Little Village.

Anabel Abarca
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 12th ward
In office
December 14, 2022 – May 15, 2023
Appointed byLori Lightfoot
Preceded byGeorge Cardenas
Succeeded byJulia Ramirez
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
EducationDePaul University (BA)
Arizona State University, Tempe (MPA)
Loyola University Chicago (JD)

Early life and education

Abarca is a native of the Northwest Side of Chicago, and is the daughter of Mexican immigrants.[2][3] She graduated from Taft High School in Norwood Park, and subsequently earned a bachelor's degree from DePaul University, a Master of Public Administration degree from Arizona State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.[2]

Abarca worked on Tammy Duckworth's congressional campaign in 2011, and served as an aide to U.S. Representative Mike Quigley. She later served on the boards of several non-profit organizations. From 2012 to 2016, she served as chief of staff for 12th ward alderman George Cardenas.[2][3]

Chicago City Council

In June 2022, Cardenas announced his intention to resign later in the year after winning a primary for a seat on the Cook County Board of Review.[4] Abarca was one of four people who applied to fill the position for the remainder of the term, and was selected for appointment by Mayor Lori Lightfoot on December 12, 2022.[2] The City Council approved her appointment in a 44–0 vote on December 14.[1] She named public safety and city services as her top priorities upon taking office.[1][2] Abarca was a candidate for a full term in the 2023 election and was endorsed by Cardenas, but lost to challenger Julia Ramirez.[5][3]

Personal life

Abaraca has lived in the McKinley Park neighborhood of Chicago since 2015.[3]

Electoral history
2023 Chicago aldermanic election, 12th ward, first round[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Julia Ramirez 3,355 57.0
Nonpartisan Anabel Abarca (incumbent) 2,531 43.0
Total votes 5,886 100.0

References
  1. Savedra, Madison (2022-12-14). "Ald. Anabel Abarca Sworn In To Lead Southwest Side's 12th Ward". Block Club Chicago. Archived from the original on 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  2. Savedra, Madison (2022-12-12). "Anabel Abarca Picked To Lead 12th Ward After Cardenas Resigns". Block Club Chicago. Archived from the original on 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  3. Spielman, Fran (2022-12-12). "Lightfoot appoints Cardenas' former chief of staff to replace him as 12th Ward alderperson". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  4. Savedra, Madison (2022-06-29). "Ald. George Cardenas Wins Cook County Board Of Review Seat, Will Leave City Council By The End Of The Year". Block Club Chicago. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  5. Savedra, Madison (2023-02-28). "12th Ward Challenger Julia Ramirez Unseats Newly Appointed Ald. Anabel Abarca". Block Club Chicago. Archived from the original on 2023-03-04. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  6. Chicago Board of Elections (March 15, 2023). "Tabulated Statement of the Returns and Proclamation of the Results of the Canvass of the Election Returns for the February 28, 2023 Municipal General and Alderperson Elections Held in Each of the Precincts in All the Wards in the City of Chicago" (PDF). Retrieved March 15, 2023.
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