With Emanuel Out, Here’s a Look at Who Could Join Race for Mayor

Several names are being floated as potential candidates in the upcoming race for mayor of Chicago just one day after Rahm Emanuel's bombshell announcement that he would not seek re-election.

Some rumored candidates have already denied they're seeking the role while others remained coy on the subject.

Those who do announce their candidacy will be joining an already crowded field, with at least 11 others vying for the position.

Speculated names so far include local officials like Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who notably forced an historic runoff election with Emanuel in 2015.

Emanuel revealed that he would not seek a third term during a last-minute press conference on Tuesday, saying that being mayor "has been the job of a lifetime but it is not a job for a lifetime."

While he's stayed quiet on his future plans, Emanuel - a prolific fundraiser - had been steadily adding to his war chest, with more than $7.5 million in his political committee as of the most recent reporting period ending on June 30. He has not yet thrown his support behind a candidate, but appeared to indicate a new name would be joining the race.

"I don't believe all the candidates that are running are in the field," he told NBC 5 Wednesday.

Multiple sources told NBC 5 several possible candidates have started polling. Preckwinkle and Congressman Mike Quigley are testing their name recognition, sources close to both possible candidates said.

Chicago lawyer and former mayoral candidate Gery Chico confirmed Wednesday he is considering throwing his hat into the ring. He raised more than $4.5 million during his previous run for mayor and "can unify the city," a campaign spokesperson said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Lisa Madigan on Wednesday quelled any rumors that she might toss her name into the mix.

"I care very deeply about our city. I know that we have some significant problems to deal with and I intend to continue in helping in any way that I can but I also intend to do that as a resident of the city of Chicago, not as a candidate or the mayor of the city of Chicago," she told NBC 5 in an interview.

Meanwhile, Comptroller Susana Mendoza avoided saying whether she was considering running, saying instead "right now I'm running for Comptroller."

Many have looked to Jesus "Chuy" Garcia in the hours following Emanuel's surprising announcement. The Cook County Commissioner had already won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 4th Congressional District and has been a frontrunner in the race to replace Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who announced last November he would not seek re-election. Garcia told the Chicago Sun-Times in an interview last year, however, that he was considering another run for mayor in 2019.

Here's a look at who's already running and who might join the race.

Already running:

Dorothy Brown

Amara Enyia

Ja'Mal Green

William Kelly

John Kozlar

Troy LaRaviere

Lori Lightfoot

Garry McCarthy

Matthew Roney

Neal Sales-Griffin

Paul Vallas