Welcome to the Reader‘s weekday news briefing for Tuesday, December 12, 2017.
Emanuel: Six potential rivals in 2019 mayoral race have said no
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is getting ready for a heated mayoral race in 2019, and he’s still confident about his reelection chances despite a rocky and controversial second term in office. “We know six people said ‘No,’ ” Emanuel told the Tribune. “Everything else is conjecture and thumb-sucking.” The six erstwhile potential rivals are Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan, Cook County Board president Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County sheriff Tom Dart, former governor Pat Quinn, state senator Kwame Raoul, and Cook County commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. Only one candidate has officially decided to run: Chicago Principals & Administrators Association head Troy LaRaviere. Former Chicago Police Department superintendent Garry McCarthy, McDonald’s franchise owner Willie Wilson, and Cook County commissioner Bridget Gainer are still seriously considering running. Emanuel had a huge fund-raising advantage in 2015 and spent three times more than rival Garcia. “I really have no idea what the budget will be. Look, I’ve run six times . . . I’m six-for-six. I’ll have the resources,” the mayor said about the 2019 race. “The biggest undervalued part of politics is ideas . . . resources financially matter and so do your ideas.” [Tribune]
