On Thursday, Dean formally endorsed Emanuel's challenger, Jesús "Chuy" García, in Chicago's April 7 mayoral runoff election.
“When I ran for president in 2004, I told supporters in my stump speech that I represented the ‘Democratic wing of the Democratic Party’ — a line inspired by Paul Wellstone that captured the spirit of my grassroots campaign," Dean said in his statement. “Jesús ‘Chuy’ García is running a similar people-powered campaign in Chicago and that’s why I am proud to announce that I am endorsing him as the progressive choice to be Chicago’s next mayor.”
After his presidential aspirations went up in flames following his much-derided victory yell following his disappointing third place finish in the 2004 Iowa caucuses, Dean went on to found Democracy for America, a grassroots political organization that has been working to elect García. When Emanuel failed to avoid a runoff on Feb. 24, Democracy for America made sure to rub it in.