Munoz declines bSends congressman's mayoral efforts 'back to the drawing board'
October 24, 2006
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s efforts to run for mayor on a geographically diverse rainbow ticket suffered a serious blow on Monday.
Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd) said he has decided to seek re-election rather than run for city treasurer on a Jackson-led ticket that includes Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley for city clerk.
"I'm humbled by the fact that people would even consider me for something other than alderman. [But] I like what I do. I fix streets. I build schools. I work on day-to-day issues in the neighborhood. So I'm going to stay as alderman," said Munoz, who is considering a race for Congress in the 4th Congressional District in 2008 when incumbent Luis Gutierrez plans to retire.
Jackson has formed an exploratory committee for mayor and has embarked on a listening tour that will help him decide whether to take the plunge.
He called Munoz's decision a major blow -- one that admittedly sends the South Side congressman "back to the drawing board."
"The mayor is running on a ticket. It is white, brown and black: the mayor, Sen. [Miguel] del Valle [his appointed city clerk] and Treasurer Judy Rice. An [alternative ticket] for a competitive city race must minimally be that diverse in each of those offices in order to be effective. Ricky's departure significantly complicates our efforts."
Jackson said he has spent "considerable time and polling" on Munoz, whom he called a "bright, capable public servant" with a "history of standing up against the establishment and doing what's right." In other words, there is no Plan B.
Jackson said he will decide soon after the Nov. 7 general election whether to challenge Mayor Daley or take a pass on the 2007 mayoral race.
fspielman@suntimes.com
Click here to read more of Congressman Jackson's Issues and Positions.
|
