Fox News:
Longtime Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election, a stunning decision that apparently ends a political dynasty that has dominated the city for more than a half century and paves the way for White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to chase his dream job.
Emanuel once told Fox News that if Daley didn’t seek re-election, he would likely throw his hat in the ring, raising the possibility that his days in the White House are numbered.
“That’s a job I really want,” Emanuel once told Fox News’ Bret Baier.
Daley, who was elected in 1989 and has served six terms in office, dropped the news during a press conference to announce a new cabinet member. He said he had been thinking about it for several months, called the move a “personal decision,” and said that “it just feels right.”
“In the end this is a personal decision, no more, no less,” Daley said.
The decision immediately raises speculation about whether Emanuel will make a move for the seat. Emanuel said in an interview in April that if Daley did not seek another term, he would like to run for the office.
“If Mayor Daley doesn’t (run), one day I would like to run for mayor of the city of Chicago. That’s always been an aspiration of mine even when I was in the House of Representatives,” Emanuel said told PBS Charlie Rose.
The White House had no immediate comment.
The mayor’s wife Maggie has been battling breast cancer. She has made a few public appearances but does not talk publicly about her health.
Daley, 68, did not take questions after making the announcement Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted By Pat Dollard
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