Ameya Pawar announced his candidacy for the office of Chicago city treasurer on Monday, pledging to be a champion for financial justice and racial equity. Pawar, who has been alderman of the 47th Ward since 2011, said he was inspired to run for treasurer by his own family’s story.  “My dad emigrated to the United States more than 40 years ago. His career tracked a turbulent time in American manufacturing where offshoring, automation and the squeezing of workers meant he was trapped in an endless cycle of starting a new job and layoffs,” said Pawar. Pawar, who launched his candidacy after current Treasurer Kurt Summers announced he would not seek reelection, was immediately endorsed by fellow aldermen Ald. Pat Dowell (3), Ald. David Moore (17) and Ald. Ricardo Muñoz (22). “From fighting for union rights for airport workers to passing legislation guaranteeing paid sick leave for hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans, I have worked closely with Ald. Pawar over the past seven years,” said Ald. Muñoz. Pawar is also backed by Ram Villivalam, Democratic nominee for State Senator of the 8th District, who will be the first Asian American State Senator in Illinois; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Josina Morita, who was the first Asian-American to be elected countywide in Cook County; and State Rep. Theresa Mah (2nd District), the first Asian-American member of the Illinois General Assembly. He also has support from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150.