Back home, Davis ramps up campaign

• Reprints

Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Danny Davis says he’s serious about becoming Chicago’s next mayor.

Some have questioned whether Davis — who considered running for Cook County Board president, then backed off in 2009 — has taken the mayoral race seriously, he said Sunday.

“I’m just getting in this race,” he said during a fund-raising event at a West Side community center. “We’re just getting in the neighborhoods. We’re just getting in the streets. And we’re doing so with our name resting squarely at the top of the mayoral ballot.”

Davis told the group gathered at 2622 W. Jackson Blvd. that his duties as a U.S. representative from the 7th District have kept him in Washington a lot “for incredibly important votes on the largest tax cut bill in a decade, the DREAM Act, the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ and more. So, I’ve been busy.”

After speaking, he said he’s in a prime position to be elected the city’s top executive: “I’m No. 2 in the polls. I’ve got the biggest base of support. Nobody’s challenged any of my petitions.”

Earlier, Davis talked about his vision of a united Chicago.

“For too long I’ve seen two cities in Chicago. One city is prospering and vibrant; the other, poor and struggling,” he said.

Davis also said he supports an elected school board and wants a professional educator to lead the public schools.