Mayor Rahm Emanuel will not be seeking re-election

By: WCIU Staff | September 4, 2018

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on Tuesday, September 4, that he will not be seeking re-election. This was a shocking announcement, as many expected the current mayor to run for a third term.

His announcement comes less than 24 hours before the trial for Officer Jason Van Dyke is set to begin. This high-profile case has lead to scrutiny of Mayor Emanuel. However, Mayor Emmanuel's emotional announcement highlighted his accomplishments throughout his tenure and expressed gratitude to the people of Chicago.

"Today, the time has come to make another tough choice. As much as I love this job and will always love this city and its residents, I have decided not to seek re-election," Emanuel said.

"This has been the job of a lifetime, but it is not a job for a lifetime. You hire us to get things done – and pass the torch when we’ve done our best to do what you hired us to do."

"I have approached public service the only way I know how for the last 23 years—giving 100 percent, 24 hours a day, seven days a week—for President Clinton, in Congress and in its leadership, as President Obama’s Chief of Staff and finally as your Mayor. For the last seven and a half years, I’ve given my all every day and left everything on the field. This commitment has required significant sacrifice all around. Now, with our three kids in college, Amy and I have decided it is time for us to write a new chapter together," Emanuel explained.

Former President Barack Obama also released a statement regarding Emanuel's announcement:

“As a mayor, a congressman, and my first White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel has been a tireless and brilliant public servant. His work to improve our schools is paying dividends by helping our teachers and students achieve faster academic improvement than students in 96 percent of America’s school districts. The announcement to establish universal pre-K in Chicago, on top of universal kindergarten, will give all our kids the best possible start. And his implementation of debt-free community college will help prepare all our young people for the new economy. With record job growth and record employment over his terms in office, Chicago is better and stronger for his leadership, and I was a better President for his wise counsel at a particularly perilous time for our country. I’ve been blessed to call Rahm my friend. Whatever he chooses to do next, I know he’ll continue to make a positive difference, just as he has throughout his career in public service. And Michelle and I wish Rahm and Amy all the best as they consider this next phase in their lives.”

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