Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he's never running for president. "No. Never. Not. Not Interested."
But he's fundraising like he might be thinking about it.
The new mayor has scheduled a party for his New Chicago Committee to replenish his war chest, according to Crain's Chicago Business.
Emanuel is even holding the Nov. 2 shindig at the same spot Vice President Joe Biden hosted a fundraiser for President Barack Obama last month: the home of Chopper Trading CEO Raj Fernando.
And the tickets aren't cheap. Emanuel is asking a minimum of $2,500 and up to $20,000 for a corporate sponsorship, Crain's says. Of course, a past Obama dinner fetched between $10,000 and $35,800, but Emanuel might be using the cash to make political plays in next year's local elections.
Besides Emanuel has said he doesn't want the president's job -- he's happy here.
"I'm not interested," Emanuel has said. "I love this job, I love the city of Chicago."
