Chicago

Willie Wilson Announces Run for Mayor

There's one more candidate who's saying count him in for next year's race for Chicago mayor.

Rev. Willie Wilson, who also ran in 2015, made his official announcement Tuesday. 

"Chicago is bleeding jobs, citizens and hope," Wilson said in a statement. "The present administration doesn't know how to stop this but I do and will as the next mayor of our great city of Chicago."

Wilson not only ran for mayor once before, he was also a presidential candidate in 2016 for a short time. The successful businessman said he is convinced voters are looking for an alternative. 

Supporters believe in the philanthropist and businessman, saying they're unhappy with current leadership. 

“The Mayor prefers to focus on today’s announcement expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Math learning as well as International Baccalaureate programs in Chicago high schools so we can continue remaking our schools and giving every child a better shot to get ahead," Pete Giangreco, a campaign spokesman for Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. 

Wilson's announcement follows an earlier one from former Supt. Garry McCarthy. 

Wilson is not the only African American candidate throwing his name in the ring as former Chicago Public School Principal Troy LaRaviere and tech entrepeneur Neal Sales Griffin also say they're in.

Other names being talked about for potential runs include recent Attorney General candidate Sharon Fairley, Chris Kennedy's lieutenant governor candidate Ra Joy and Attorney Lori Lightfoot. Joy told NBC 5 he is "looking at 2019" and will not rule out a possible mayoral campaign. 

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