DOWNTOWN — Second Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti has been mulling a mayoral bid against current Mayor Rahm Emanuel for months.
Early Tuesday, Fioretti emailed all subscribers to his "Friends of Bob Fioretti" newsletter a message with the subject line, "Should I run?"
"Over the last several months, I’ve been traveling our city and talking to voters about the future we want to see for Chicago," Fioretti's email reads. "After nearly 200 meetings with community groups, congregations and civic leaders, I am close to a decision on the best role I can play in moving our city forward.
"But before I make this important decision, I want to hear from you. Should I run for mayor of Chicago?"
A link in the email redirects to a petition form where users are encouraged to submit comments.
"Before I make this important decision, I want to hear from you," reads the introductory text. "Should I run for mayor of Chicago?"
All comment submissions add the commenter's name as an "e-signature" to a petition. The page also encourages users to take to Twitter with the hashtag "#RunBobRun."
Fioretti has been hinting at a mayoral run for months, assembling a staff to back his "people's platform" and publicly criticizing recent moves by the Emanuel administration.
Fioretti's ward faces considerable changes when the new ward map takes effect next year that could impact his efforts to keep his Council seat.
Brian Hopkins, a top aide to Cook County Commissioner John Daley, also plans to run for the 2nd Ward alderman position.
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