Yang hits Chicago Dec. 5 for rally, fundraising

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang hits Chicago on Dec. 5, for a rally, a fundraiser and events at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics.

Yang’s rally is at the Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum at the University of Illinois at Chicago, 725 W. Roosevelt Road. The doors open at 5 p.m. Chicago time.

Yang, a tech entrepreneur, “will focus on his New Way Forward that puts humanity first and solves problems related to the 21st century economy,” his campaign said.

Before the rally, Yang will tape an episode of “The Axe Files,” hosted by David Axelrod at Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St., on the University of Chicago campus. Axelrod is the founder of the Institute of Politics, a CNN analyst and the Democratic strategist who helped steer Barack Obama to the White House. Seats for the event are already sold out. Yang will also meet with IOP students.

After the rally, Yang has a fundraiser at Flowers for Dreams, 1812 W. Hubbard St, according to an invitation obtained by the Sun-Times. The co-hosts include Steven Dyme, co-founder & CEO at Flowers for Dreams; Jean Jingyuan Ma; and Eddie Ni.

Yang campaigned in Chicago in March 2019 and November 2018.

Yang national press secretary S.Y. Lee told the Sun-Times that Yang at present does not have a separate Illinois operation. Organizing delegate slates for each of the 18 Illinois congressional districts is being done out of the Yang national headquarters in New York City.

The notice for the Yang rally said the event was at the “University of Chicago at Illinois,” a mistake that was an “oversight,” Lee said.

The Illinois presidential primary is March 17 and the March primary states may be gaining in importance if the February decisions in the four early vote states — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina — do not shrink the field or clearly define the frontrunners.

“This is going to be a long election,” Lee said.

Yang hovers at between 2% and 4% in recent polls. He has until Dec. 12 to qualify for the Dec. 19 Democratic debate in Los Angeles hosted by PBS Newshour and Politico.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., hits Chicago on Saturday for her second town hall in the city, as she ramps up for the Illinois primary.

The Warren town hall will be at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway, with doors opening a 5 p.m. Chicago time.

Editor’s note: This article was revised to note Yang campaigned in Chicago in March 2019 and November 2018.