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Chicago Mayor Race: Who Will Run? (PHOTOS)

PHOTOS: Who Will Run For Mayor Of Chicago?
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Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's surprising decision not to run for a seventh term has created a feeling of chaos in Chicago--and possibly in Washington. It seems as though everyone who is anyone in city politics is considering a bid.

This speculation has been happening since early this year, when talk of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's interest in the Chicago mayorship went public. Now, there is a long and growing list of possible candidates.

We will continue to update our slideshow as names come and go. So far, here are some of the names floating around the buzzing city:

Carol Moseley Braun(01 of14)
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STATUS: AnnouncedA one-term U.S. Senator from Illinois and former Ambassador to New Zealand, Moseley Braun's last foray into politics was a brief 2004 presidential campaign. Now, she's getting back into the business, after spending the last few years running an organic foods company. (credit:AP)
Rickey Hendon(02 of14)
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STATUS: AnnouncedState Senator Rickey Hendon has also announced his candidacy for mayor, saying that if elected, he would re-open Meigs Field on his first day in office. He also described himself as "the black Sarah Palin," referring to his plans to drum up grassroots support for his candidacy (credit:AP)
Miguel del Valle(03 of14)
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STATUS: AnnouncedCurrent city clerk and former state senator, Del Valle was also brought up by outgoing Mayor Daley, who persuaded the former independent "to join the regulars and share the ticket with him running for city clerk," the Sun-Times reports.
R. Emmett Tyrrell(04 of14)
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STATUS: AnnouncedThe editor of the conservative magazine The American Spectator has announced that he plans to run in 2011. In a conversation with the ...With Both Hands blog, he discussed his "unassailable" Chicago roots and his desire to return the rule of law and order to the city. (credit:Washington Times)
William "Dock" Walls(05 of14)
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STATUS: AnnouncedWalls, a community activist and former aide to the late Mayor Harold Washington, has run for governor, congressman and mayor in the last four years--and he has already announced that he would be running for Chicago mayor this time around. Regarding the media coverage surrounding other possible candidates, Walls said "People are sick and tired of the same old soup."
Christopher Cooper(06 of14)
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STATUS: AnnouncedCivil rights attorney and former Marine, Christopher Cooper promises prominently on his website to use his legal expertise to void the parking meter lease if elected mayor. In an email to HuffPost Chicago he said he has been "collecting signatures long before others even considering running." (credit:christophercooperformayor2011.org)
Rahm Emanuel (07 of14)
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STATUS: MullingRahm Emanuel said earlier this year that "one day I would like to run for mayor of the city of Chicago." Did he expect that Daley would not run in 2011? Doubtful. But he still has time to throw his name in the hat. (credit:AP)
Sen. James Meeks(08 of14)
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STATUS: MullingState Senator James Meeks, a close ally of Jesse Jackson Jr. and pastor of Salem Baptist Church, told the Sun-Times last week that he is building his base, but has not committed to run. He has, however, also begun to collect petition signatures."I think that the person who emerges ought to emerge with their base, not on their own, with a cross- section of blacks, whites, Latinos, business people, labor," he told the paper. "If I emerge, that is how I will emerge." (credit:AP)
Scott Waguespack(09 of14)
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STATUS: Mulling32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack has been an outspoken Daley opponent since he defeated Daley-backed Ted Matlak in 2007. He voted against privatizing parking meters, and said he would make an announcement "in the next few days."
Tom Tunney(10 of14)
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STATUS: MullingThe Chicago Tribune speculates that Tunney, who was the first openly gay alderman in Chicago history, could be eyeing Daley's job as well. Tunney would garner a lot of gay and lesbian support if he chose to run--especially if he vowed to make LGBT rights a priority.
Tom Dart(11 of14)
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STATUS: MullingCook County Sheriff Tom Dart has "always been interested in" the mayor's office, his spokesman told the Chicago Tribune Tuesday. Dart was also named one of Time magazine's "most influential people" in 2009, and has gained national attention for his fight against Craigslist prostitution advertisements and uncovering a grave-reselling scheme at Burr Oak cemetery. (credit:AP)
Mike Quigley(12 of14)
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STATUS: RumoredFormer Cook County commissioner Mike Quigley won a special election to fill Rahm Emanuel's congressional seat when he went to the White House in 2009, and told the Chicago News Cooperative Tuesday that not everyone is looking to Emanuel to fill Daley's shoes. “I don’t think they all turn to Rahm,” Quigley said. “I think they turn to a lot of different people.”
Danny Davis(13 of14)
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Congressman Danny Davis shared kind words about Daley's time in office--but told the Associated Press the city needs to prepare for a big change. He also said the city faces escalating youth violence, crumbling infrastructure and a lack of jobs--but doesn't want to be engaged in a "big dog fight" on who is going to run.
Terry Peterson (14 of14)
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Peterson, chairman of the CTA, is also a "close and trusted confidant of Mayor Daley," the Sun-Times reports. He was also seen leaving the mayor's office just before his announcement Tuesday. (credit:Chicago Sun-Times)

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