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Candidates for Chicago mayor in 2019?

It is never too early to discuss the next election, or even one or two more down the line.  At Wednesday’s City Club luncheon, “A Crisis of Confidence:  Police, Chicago’s Public Schools, Finances & the Mayor’s Ability to Lead,” the conversation turned to who might enter the 2019 election for mayor in Chicago.

The panel of Sun-Times reporters and columnists was split on whether Rahm Emanuel would seek a third term. Long-time City Hall reporter Fran Spielman expressed her strong opinion that Emanuel is too damaged to run again.  Mary Mitchell and Dan Mihalopoulos, however, stated it was too early to rule him out. 

Other potential candidates for mayor floated by members of the panel included Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Sherriff Tom Dart, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza and Chicago Alderman Brendan Riley.  Mihalopoulos suggested Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who took Mayor Emanuel to a run-off last year, might also run again in 2019.

In the Daily Whale’s opinion, the 2019 candidate field could also contain Cook County Commissioner Bridgett Gainer, who explored a mayoral run in 2010. Additionally, the final list is likely to include a yet-to-be-named-rich-person, a hallmark of many competitive elections as of late.

The discussion itself is a sign of recent changes in Chicago’s political landscape. While the Mayor’s Office continues to exert great influence, it does not appear as powerful as it has been at some other points in Chicago’s history. During Mayor Daley’s tenure, one could rarely name a single credible mayoral challenger. Few ever even talked about the possibility of challenging Daley due to fear of political retribution. 

Wednesday’s discussion and the potential for a large field in 2019 mayoral election are good things.  Competition tends to keep officials on their toes.  Hopefully the mayor sees it that way.