Muñoz was first appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1993, to replace his mentor Jesús "Chuy" García, who joined the Illinois Senate. Muñoz was the youngest member of the City Council when he first joined the body in 1993. "Alderman Ricardo Muñoz is one of the few independents on the City Council who isn't afraid to speak out against the mayor when he sees fit," wrote the Chicago "Tribune" in endorsing Muñoz for re-election in February 2003. "He has presented a number of innovative ideas... a terrific choice for voters."