The race to become Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's successor became a bit clearer after pastor and state Sen. James Meeks, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis officially threw their hats into the ring.
At the University of Illinois at Chicago, Meeks told supporters Nov. 14, "A city that really works must h leader. A leader who can't take Chicago Public Schools blaming the teachers union ... Whites blaming African Americans and African Americans blaming Hispanics ... The South Side blaming the West Side ... Cubs fans blaming White Sox fans," according to the Chicago Tribune.
Meeks' announcement was relatively showy, complete with a seven-piece band, hundreds of backers wearing "Leadership for change, Meeks for Mayor" T-shirtsand an introduction by former state Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna.
At the Hotel Allegro in Chicago's Loop, Davis made his candidacy official the same day. He asked people to help him and his team find solutions to the problems that plague the city. At one point, Davis said, "You don't have to be rich, you don't have to be wealthy, you don't have to be high in the penthouseall that you have to be is highly motivated and involved to make a difference," according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The day before, Emanuel confirmed what everyone knewthat he plans to run for mayor. At a school gymnasium, Emanuel spoke of maintaining Chicago's status as a "world-class city." Emanuel, who is considered a favorite in the race, already has $1 million in his campaign account and name recognition, according to Slate magazine. Regarding the question if Emanuel's boss, President Obama, would campaign for him, White House senior advisor David Axelrod told Meet the Press host David Gregory that the chief has not decided even though Obama's "view of Rahm is very clear."
Meeks, Davis and Emanuel join other individuals who have already declared their candidacy, including Gery Chico, the mayor's former chief of staff and school board president; former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun; and City Clerk Miguel del Valle. According to the Huffington Post, Braun strategist Mike Noonan said that revealed that his team plans on provoking Emanuel's temper.
Among those who have dropped out of the race is Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, who cited familial obligations. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who recently lost a very close race for Obama's old U.S. Senate seat to Mark Kirk, was rumored to be considering a mayoral run; however, he declined to run, despite the attempts of some aldermen to woo him.