Fioretti Inching Closer To A Mayoral Run
By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 6, 2014 4:40PM
Ald. Bob Fioretti, in the surest sign yet he’s bent on challenging Rahm Emanuel for mayor next year, is looking to hire campaign staff for a probable run. The 2nd Ward alderman, who said last month he would make a formal announcement after conducting a “listening tour” of all 50 wards, said he was “weighing (his) options.”
Fioretti confirmed to the Tribune Tuesday he hired Michael Kolenc as a campaign adviser and posted an ad to a political job board seeking a campaign manager, finance director, field director and communications director, with Kolenc as the contact. Kolenc told the Trib Fioretti was merely being pragmatic in case the alderman does make a formal announcement.
But Fioretti sounded like he already made up his mind at fellow Ald. Nicholas Sposato’s announcement he would run for 38th Ward alderman, after being drawn out of the 36th Ward in the post-2011 ward remap.
Fioretti said he’s working on a campaign platform that will address the needs of all Chicagoans. He’s expected to make a final decision at the end of the month.
Earlier this week, Fioretti said the pro-Emanuel "Chicago Forward" super PAC was aimed at driving him and the other members of the City Council Progressive Caucus out of office in next year's election. The political action committee has raised $1.35 million from a handful of supporters. Emanuel's campaign war chest is at $7.5 million. Fioretti has raised $350,000.