[UPDATED] Mayor Daley Will Not Seek Reelection In 2011
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 7, 2010 6:38PM
News reports are breaking this afternoon that Mayor Daley will not seek reelection next year. Hang on to your seats, folks. Shit is about to get real.
According to the Tribune, Daley made the announcement in a very quick speech today, saying: "The truth is I have been thinking about this for the past several months. In the end this is a personal decision, no more, no less."
Either Mayor Daley or his father have been mayor for 42 of the last 55 years. Mayor Daley will become Chicago's longest serving mayor later this winter prior to next year's election.
No word yet from any potential challengers, including Rahm Emanuel.
Time Out Chicago talked to a spokesman for Ald. Waguespack who suggested this may shake up his plans.
The Trib has some more reaction, including from Aldermen Joe Moore, Ed Burke, and Gov. Pat Quinn.
WBEZ reports Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan is expressing interest in running for mayor.
ChuffPo's Jen Sabella has a gallery of potential opponents, including Lisa Madigan and former City Inspector General David Hoffman.
Even more info at Progress Illinois.
Here's video of the Mayor's speech, via CLTV:
Here are Daley's full remarks.
Timeout Chicago asks experts what Daley's departure will mean for the city's cultural landscape.
Speaking of landscapes, the Trib's Blair Kamin examines Daley's architectural legacy, from Meigs Field to Millennium Park.
The time frame for Daley to finish Chicago Mag's bucket list for him just got a lot smaller.
Politico is already speculating Rahm's departure from the White House after the midterm election to presumably run for mayor makes sense and has begun speculation on who his replacement in DC will be. A source told the Washington Post they'd be "shocked" if Rahm didn't run.
The Chicago News Coop has more reaction, including these words from President Obama: “No mayor in America has loved a city more or served a community with greater passion than Rich Daley. He helped build Chicago’s image as a world class city, and leaves a legacy of progress that will be appreciated for generations to come.”
Not for nothing, Tankboy still leads voting on this website for Chicago's Next Mayor.