Rahm's retirement unleashes a frantic race in Chicago

CHICAGO – The Daleys ruled Chicago collectively for four decades, dating back to the 1950s. Now, after a brief interregnum, the family's reign could be extended.

Bill Daley, the former chief of staff of President Barack Obama, is running as a late candidate for the February 26 race for the mayor, a competition featuring 14 people vying to succeed Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

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While the race will be held in the country's third city, in two days, Daley – who hopes to advance the legacy left by his father, the original "Boss", Richard J. Daley, and his brother, Richard M Daley – shot towards the front of the pack. After barely registering in the polls, he now has a strong chance of being one of the top two candidates to qualify for the second round.

The first favorites were two minority women, very influential and work-supported, Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Council, and Susana Mendoza, controller of Illinois.

But we are in Chicago, where corruption still prevails and, along with the warming of the campaign, a federal inquiry has also followed a federal inquiry into Alderman Ed Burke, one of Illinois' most powerful politicians. A former real estate attorney for Donald Trump, Burke took office in 1969 – when Daley's original patriarch was in office.

Prosecutors brought extortion charges against Burke in early January, sparking a series of negative stories, some of which splashed Preckwinkle and Mendoza. A later revelation that another city councilman wore a wire during the Burke investigation only exacerbated the steady stream of reports.

Although the Daleys have historical ties to Burke, Bill Daley has mostly avoided the most recent controversy. And as his main rivals began to stumble, he was well placed to take advantage. Daley, who raised $ 8.7 million, appears to be the best-funded group – with a name that money can not buy. It began broadcasting television ads last December, as many candidates intensified their fundraising efforts.

"This has changed the overarching message of the city's financial crisis – whether you can have a government in Chicago that is not filled with corruption," said Thom Serafin, a political consultant in Chicago. "Many people know the surname Daley. They are looking for a Rich Daley, an aboriginal, who will clean the aisles. "

Councilman Scott Waguespack, a progressive leader of the Chicago City Council, said the scandal could have sown such discord among Democrats that Chicagoans could end up opting for familiarity.

"I think he can get out of it. On the basis of name recognition, a good percentage might say, "I will go with the Daley family. At least I know what I'm going to do, "said Waguespack, who supported former federal prosecutor Lori Lightfoot in the race.

Daley is supported by the business community and some unions. Since then, he has obtained several important mentions: Chicago Tribune, Chicago Business Crain and Chicago Crusader, an African-American publication. Even former Vice President Al Gore went to Chicago to endorse Daley.

And for eight days, billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin breathed two million dollar contributions into Daley's campaign.

Daniel Biss, a former senator and governor candidate in Illinois, from the progressive wing, says it's remarkable that Daley and the former superintendent of the Chicago Police Department Garry McCarthy, be in the race.

"This represents a blank reaction to the recent Black Lives Matter movement / police responsibility / racial justice," Biss said. "In light of national politics – particularly but not exclusively Trump – and Chicago's status as an extremely democratic city, it is extremely important to track the performance of candidates like this."

Biss claims that Daley's growing fortune is due to the elevator he received from commercial interests.

"The momentum created by progressive economic policies across the country has created a growing panic among the rich and this has helped Daley to raise a huge amount of money," Biss said.

If Daley advances, he will not be alone. To avoid a second round, a candidate must win more than 50% of the vote. Tuesday's elections in Chicago are anything but certain to head for a second round on April 2, when the first two voters will fight.

Preckwinkle, who conducts regular polls at or near the summit, remains formidable despite a series of setbacks in his own campaign, including a controversy over sexual misconduct. In addition to supporting large groups of workers such as the Chicago Teachers Union and the powerful SEIU, Preckwinkle has a natural electorate derived from his county's position and his leadership in the politics of the Democratic Party.

This broad field, however, brings together a wide variety of prominent candidates, resulting in a fracture of the standard constituencies that fuel the participation rate of Chicago municipalities.

Mendoza enjoys organized union support and draws part of the vote from Latin Americans. The city's other major newspaper, the Chicago Sun-Times, supported Lightfoot, which led the Chicago police reforms and received progressive support. Gery Chico, former chairman of the Chicago Public Schools Board of Directors, draws a share of the Latin American vote and has a regular television presence.

At the same time, businessman Willie Wilson, a fortunate man who opposed Emanuel in 2015, enjoys strong support in the African American and Amara community. Enyia, an activist and political consultant, uses the millennium as Chance the Rapper and Kanye West. offered him early financial support and endorsements.

Emanuel's decision last fall not to run for a third term is what triggered the crazy race.

Emanuel took office in 2011, after the tumultuous end of Mayor Daley-Richard M.'s 22-year reign, Chicagoans were already tired of Daley following a massive scandal of contract and favoritism, then of its extremely unpopular decision to privatize the city's parking meters. Daley chose to retire and Emanuel left the Obama White House to try his luck. Meanwhile, Bill Daley took office at the White House.

Emanuel faced his own tumultuous years. The fatal police shot of a Laquan McDonald armed with a knife made the city shake in 2016. Emanuel was pilloried for his decision not to broadcast a police video showing police officer Jason Van Dyke 16 shot at McDonald before his reelection in 2015. Emanuel was certain to face a deadly reelection campaign if he sought a third term.

In the political vacuum left by his absence, no candidate was able to get out of the battlefield. No poll has even exceeded 20% in the latest polls – and about one in five of those surveyed remain undecided. This could give five or six candidates a chance to move forward.

"The undecided number is the biggest right now. They are not going to part with an incumbent, "said Serafin, adding that it could hurt known candidates such as Daley, Mendoza and Preckwinkle." There are many places where these people can go . "