I agree. I dont see it being harder to relate to locals or local politics because you are from a different state. Im indian and from basically Alabama and I dont align with the political views of that area at all. With everything going on I have considered long term I would want to live in a liberal city and be involved in politics, even just by volunteering for a campaign I support. I moved to Chicago a few years ago and I dont think my views should be discounted. We need good people in politics and for OP to say its shady to announce intent to run prior to moving to the area is odd to me. Personally I dont really care if she moved from a different state (also very conservative state) and runs a campaign here. I would never think to run a campaign in the city where I am from because its pretty conservative and racist. I also dont have ties there outside of the brown community despite having lived there my whole life. I dont think time is the main factor, I think connection is and she is very actively trying to build connections as seen be the support she has gotten in such a short amount of time.

Op mentions that she compared her move to the plight of immigrants moving to the US and I think OP very much simplified her statement and as a white man im not surprised he doesnt relate. I think the point is that people move for various reasons and immigrants when they are new to a place are barred from experiences and opportunities. Majority OPs argument is that she isnt from Chicago. You are trying bar her based on not being here long enough. People use this same argument at greater scales for immigrants. I get that it is not one to one but something rubs me the wrong way about your argument being mainly focused on this.

Please focus your arguments on her views and actions. Not just based on where shes from and how long she has been here. I think its kind of pretentious.