Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, left, and Gov. JB Pritzker seen in photos from 2019 and 2025, respectively. | José M. Osorio and Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune
Neither has said anything even remotely official, but it’s clear that both Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel currently are publicly exploring a run for president of the United States, even if both men are too smart to enter a race they have concluded they cannot win.
Bring it on, gentlemen, say we.
Each man represents a different faction of the Democratic Party and has articulated its goals. Pritzker, who has endeared himself to the party’s progressive wing, would surely have to run to the left of Emanuel, who has staked out an explicitly centrist position. Broadly speaking, the differences between the two typify the internal debate Democrats will have to face before (or if) they can sufficiently unify to regain power. Of course, Pritzker would find it relatively easy to tack right in a general election, should he win the primary, and Emanuel would surely figure out how to at least dance a little in the opposite direction in the primary. If necessary.
Should Pritzker decide not to run for an additional term as governor, of course, that could potentially tee up Emanuel to run the state (in the Democratic view) and leave the presidential race to Pritzker. No doubt that’s in our governor’s mind, but it seems more likely to us that he will decide his candidacy will be far stronger if it is launched from the governor’s mansion than as a private citizen. Hard to argue with that.
“We’re going to continue to be friends, but if we’re running for the same position, it will be awkward,” Emanuel told NBC News.
Awkward? Maybe. It’s far too early to assess anyone’s chances and either or both may yet demur. But we think a presidential campaign by either or both men can only be good for Chicago and Illinois.
Read more here.
Either one of them would be a disaster for the country. Look at how messed up Rahm, left Chicago, and look at how Pritzker is destroying IL They both believe that continuing to raise taxes or finding new and exciting ways to apply new taxes to the residents of this state is some sort of a game. If they take their “model” of leadership to the white house, I can guarantee, America will fall into bankruptcy.