On Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley shook up local and national politics with the surprise announcement that he will not seek re-election when his term expires next year.
“I’ve done my all. I’ve done my best,” Mr. Daley told reporters during a news conference at City Hall in Chicago. “Now, I’m ready with my family to begin the new phase of our lives. Simply put, it’s time. Time for me, it’s time for Chicago to move on.”
The news that Mayor Daley has decided to return to private life created an immediate stir within the gritty world of Chicago politics. But it also caused some commotion inside the West Wing. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is on record as openly expressing a long held desire to be mayor of his hometown of Chicago. “One day I would like to run for mayor of the city of Chicago,” Mr. Emanuel said during an April television interview, adding that he would only consider running if Mr. Daley decided to step aside. “First of all, let me say it this way: I hope Mayor Daley seeks re-election. I will work and support him if he seeks re-election,” Mr. Emanuel said at the time. “But if Mayor Daley doesn’t, one day I would like to run for mayor of the city of Chicago.” Now it appears he has an open window of opportunity.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Emanuel issued a statement that he was surprised by the announcement, but did not say whether he intended to run. However, with the election set for Feb. 22, 2011, he does not have much time to make a decision. “While Mayor Daley surprised me today with his decision to not run for reelection, I have never been surprised by his leadership, dedication and tireless work on behalf of the city and the people of Chicago.” Emanuel, a former congressman from Chicago’s North Side, had originally said he planned to stay in his extremely demanding job at the White House until at least next summer. But the news from Mr. Daley could immediately change that calculation.
Mayor Daley will become the longest-serving mayor of Chicago on Dec. 26, 2010, surpassing the tenure of his father, Richard J. Daley. If Rahm Emanuel really wants to fulfill his desire to be Mayor of his hometown, there could be no greater opportunity than this.
