Wilson backs Garcia over Mayor Emanuel in Chicago mayor race

CHICAGO (AP) - The millionaire businessman who placed third in Chicago's mayoral contest said Wednesday that he'll back Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia over Mayor Rahm Emanuel in next month's runoff election, the latest high-profile endorsement from a black leader in the city.

First-time candidate Willie Wilson said he chose Garcia after meeting privately with both candidates. Wilson was a frequent critic of Emanuel on the campaign trail, and his major theme was racial equality, particularly for heavily-minority neighborhoods strongly impacted by street violence and school closures pushed by Emanuel.

Wilson said he also opposes the city's red-light camera program, even after Emanuel announced earlier in the week that he'd remove 50 of them. The cameras have come under intense scrutiny over safety concerns and reports of unfair ticketing in some areas.

"He needed to take them all down," Wilson said of Emanuel.

Wilson received more than 10 percent of the vote in February, gaining strong support from black voters. Emanuel failed to capture the majority he needed to win a second term outright. The former White House chief of staff has struggled to maintain support among minority voters since winning a first term in 2011. Ahead of the April 7 runoff with Garcia, he's focused much of his campaigning in heavily-black neighborhoods.

In Chicago, blacks and Latinos each make up close to one-third of the city's population.

Emanuel spokesman Steve Mayberry said Wilson brought an "important perspective" to the contest. In recent weeks, Emanuel has tried to raise skepticism of Garcia's experience and platform, calling for more specifics.

The Wilson endorsement follows others in favor of Garcia this week from other high-profile black leaders: The Rev. Jesse Jackson and former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones.

Wilson also noted Garcia's leadership.

"He's very honest," he said. "I think he'll give us something different."

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