Black Coalition Backs Rep. Danny Davis for Mayor

By Soyoung Kwak in News on Nov 7, 2010 5:00PM

After a two-month long decision, a coalition of African-American political, religious, and community leaders in Chicago has chosen Congressman Danny Davis as its candidate for mayor. The coalition chose Davis over the two other finalists that were announced last month, former Senator Carol Moseley Braun and Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers. It appears that Congressman Davis was chosen over the other finalists because he impressed the coalition with his ideas, and the coalition also saw Davis' potential in attracting a wide range of voters come election time:

The coalition chairman, Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), said Davis impressed members during a sit-down Friday. "Carol was highly considered," he said. "But with Danny's interview, his grasp of city government, his international relationships -- dealing with Chicago as a global city -- it gave him some different appeal."

Another coalition member said Davis was seen as someone who could attract a broad spectrum of voters. "The final sense was that it would be easier for him to build a coalition that would be needed to win," said the member, who asked not to be named. "You can't win with just black votes."

However, it appears that the coalition's decision to pick Danny Davis as its front-runner hasn't affected the decision of some of the other candidates to get their names on the voting ballot come next year: State Senator James Meeks, who was one of the four initial finalists, is still contemplating whether or not to run despite the choice of the coalition. Additionally, Braun has already opened up a campaign office in Bronzeville. Braun states that she will officially announce her candidacy later this month.