After filing paperwork this morning to officially remove his name from the March 17 primary ballot as a candidate for the Illinois 9th Congressional District, Bruce Leon, 50th Ward Committeeman and entrepreneur, endorsed Phil Andrew, gun violence survivor and former FBI Hostage Negotiator.

“At a time when our communities, courts, and nation are under assault by an administration that has politicized the very institutions designed to protect us, Phil Andrew will fight back for voters with the same experience he used to take down corrupt officials, protect children from predators, and prevent terrorist attacks,” Leon said.

“We live in a time where people with differing opinions have stopped talking. Civility is low and threats are high. Is there a better time than now to send a hostage negotiator to Congress?” Leon asked.

Leon said that people feel unsafe in his Orthodox Jewish community. ”Antisemitism and hate crimes across religious communities continue to increase. Phil has deep experience in keeping communities safe,” said Leon, citing Andrew’s role as the lead FBI hostage negotiator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack of the local Chabad House and his work with the Illinois Holocaust Museum in designing a hate crime curriculum geared toward law enforcement.

“Phil and I have gotten to know one another over the course of this campaign. After every conversation and candidate forum, I became more convinced that Phil’s experience as a survivor of gun violence, his lifelong advocacy on this vital issue, and his work keeping people and our country safe make him the leader we need now.”

“Phil is about public service, not self-service. Too often people elected to one office think they need to keep getting promoted. This is a huge disservice to voters. We don’t need lifetime politicians fighting for us at a time when our institutions are under attack. Recent history shows that doesn’t work,” Leon said.

“I am confident Bruce Leon will continue to serve his community with seriousness and heart and I am very grateful for his endorsement,” said Andrew.

“Bruce and I both understand the value of listening. Many people across diverse communities in the district feel unheard and are uneasy with the choices in this race. We come from different parts of the 9th District but share many of the same goals.”