Daley plays coy on who he backs to fill Emanuel's post

U.S. HOUSE | Is the mayor backing O'Connor for replacement?

Mayor Daley on Wednesday continued to play cat-and-mouse about whom he’s backing in the crowded race to replace Rep. Rahm Emanuel — amid speculation the mayor is leaning toward his unofficial City Council floor leader.

Ald. Pat O’Connor (40th) acknowledged he’s had “conversations” about the race with both the mayor and Emanuel, newly appointed White House chief-of-staff.

O’Connor said he’s “definitely interested” in running, but only with Daley’s blessing.

“I don’t think anybody who really wants to be effective wants to run without his support…I’m considering it and his backing is an essential part for anybody who wants to run and win,” he said.

O’Connor noted that the field is getting more crowded by the day, setting the stage for an open primary.

“We, as political leaders in this congressional district, would be pretty poor leaders if we allow it to dissolve into something like that…This is an opportunity for all of us to be together, work together and come up with a candidate we can all support and, if that happens, it’ll be a great opportunity,” he said

Last week, slatemaking chairman William Banks (36th) told the Chicago Sun-Times at least 15 candidates had called him to express an interest in replacing Emanuel, making it difficult for any one of them to get the weighted votes needed to secure an endorsement.

That’s apparently why O’Connor’s colleagues were spreading the word about Daley’s possible backing. They wanted to force the mayor’s hand.

It didn’t work.

“There’s about 25 candidates. First of all, Rahm Emanuel has not resigned. So there could be more candidates any day. There’s more candidates to come. People have even called me and talked to me about running. How can you say you’re for a candidate and the field is not full yet?” the mayor said.

If O’Connor runs, he’s almost certain to be asked about conflicts posed by his zoning votes and the clients his wife represents as a real estate agent.

On Wednesday, O’Connor insisted that every vote he cast was “legal and ethical,” adding, “In a constituency like the 5th congressional district, they’ll be interested in finding out what you’re gonna do in Congress. They’ll be interested in finding out how you’re gonna represent them. I’m very comfortable with the things I’ve done with my community and for my community.”