Ald. Leslie Hairston eyes Daley's job

Ummm well Charles Thomas may well have his first woman or first black to express interest in running against Mayor Daley. Of course, one could only wonder if she'll run if Daley actually chooses to run for re-election next year.

South Side Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) said Monday she's being urged by people "at the grass-roots level" to run for mayor and, "I won't rule anything out."

"People are pleased with the job I do and pleased with my stance on the parking meters," said Hairston, one of five aldermen to oppose the 75-year, $1.15 billion lease that turned into a political albatross for Mayor Daley after meter rates soared and meters broke down during the transition to private control.

"Right now, I'm running for re-election as alderman. That's where my primary focus is. But, I won't rule anything out. You always keep your options open."

Daley, 68, has not yet decided whether to seek a seventh term, nor has he held a fund-raiser in four years or assembled a campaign staff.
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Hairston, 49, is the first African-American elected official to publicly state that she's considering a race for mayor -- whether or not Daley is a candidate.

Asked Monday what it would take for her to pull the trigger, the three-term incumbent who represents Hyde Park said, "I would have to have a lot of money to do that. You'd need millions."

I wonder what the good bloggers at Hyde Park Progress would have to say about their Alderman wanting to run for Mayor. They don't seem to be that happy with her. Crossposted @ Mechanics!