President Barack Obama isn't exactly shy about touting his Chicago roots, and his locally based campaign's new list of National Co-Chairs reflects it.
Among the list of 35 co-chairs, Obama's team chose Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, also from Chicago, the campaign announced Wednesday.
Emanuel and Daley, along with mayors, senators, volunteers and religious and business leaders from around the country are expected to serve as ambassadors for the re-election, according to the campaign. Eva Longoria, listed as an actress and philanthropist, also made the cut.
“The President’s National Co-Chairs will be tremendous assets on the ground as we build the biggest grassroots campaign in history,” said campaign manager Jim Messina in a statement. “They each share the President’s vision for a future where every American can have a fair shot at success, where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded.”
Emanuel, who stepped down as Obama's chief of staff in 2010, and Daley, who left his White House job in January, aren't the only locals on the list. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (9th) and high-power local businesswoman Penny Pritzker also were included.
Emanuel, for one, undoubtedly has his former boss' back. When asked about Iowa's Republican caucuses in January, Mayor Emanuel jumped into campaign mode, saying it doesn't matter who Republicans pick to oppose the president.
"Regardless in my view who the Republicans nominate, the President of the United States in my view has a strong case to make about his fight on behalf of the middle class and on behalf of Americans and their future," Emanuel said Wednesday during an unrelated news conference.
Obama is expected to return to Chicago March 16 ahead of the Illinois primary.