It seems that everyone wants to be Chicago's mayor--but only if Mayor Daley decides not to run. This time, it's openly gay 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney.
Considering that Mayor Daley will likely decide to run again, the endless rumors about folks with mayoral ambitions seem kind of pointless, but Chicagoist raised a question that made Tunney's possible run more interesting than the rest: Would Chicago elect an openly gay mayor?
"I am a longtime ally of Mayor Daley," Tunney told the Windy City Times, "and encourage him to run for re-election. However, if he chooses not to seek another term, I am interested in exploring the possibility of running for mayor. I will not consider it until the mayor makes his decision."
Tunney told the paper that as a "life-long resident of Chicago, a small business owner for 30 years, member of the LGBT community and a two-term member of the City Council, I believe I would bring a unique background and perspective to what our city, residents and businesses need to move forward."
Rahm Emanuel, Lisa Madigan, Jesse Jackson Jr., Luis Gutierrez and David Hoffman's names have been floated for possible Daley successors. Most of them, however, stick to the same script: I would love to run, but only "if Mayor Daley doesn't."
As Chicagoist points out, Berlin, Paris and Houston elected gay mayors--could Chicago be next?
Let us know what you think.