Preckwinkle to Remain Silent on Mayoral Race

Add Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to those who say they're publicly withholding endorsement in Chicago's mayoral race.

In advance of a Casimir Pulaski Day event, Preckwinkle told reporters she was "staying out of it."

Her silence is notable, given that she has what can be described as a tepid relationship with Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The incumbent's challenger in the April 7 runoff is Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.

Gov. Bruce Rauner last week declined to publicly support either candidate. He and Emanuel are friends and worked together during Emanuel's time as an investment banker.

Preckwinkle, a former Chicago alderman, had been pressured to make her own run for Emanuel's office but put the kibosh on that idea last July.

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