Tom Tunney, Chicago's first openly gay
alderman, is considering a run for the mayor's office.
Tunney is among the Chicago-area
politicians being considered for the job after Mayor
Richard Daley announced Tuesday he won't seek a seventh term next
year.
Daley appointed Tunney to the Chicago
City Council in 2002. The Chicago native was elected to his post the
following year. He represents the voters of the city's 44th
Ward, which includes portions of Chicago's largest gay neighborhood,
Boystown.
“I'm not a candidate at this point,”
Tunney told Chicago daily the Chicago Tribune. “I think we
really need time to absorb the impact of the mayor's statement today,
and the fact that he has been a terrific mayor.”
The 55-year-old Tunney turned a sagging
Ann Sather restaurant in the city's Lakeview neighborhood into a
thriving four location chain. He purchased the original restaurant
at the age of 23. He's also a dedicated fundraiser for local and
regional gay rights groups.
In 1995, Tunney was inducted into the
Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.
Another notable being discussed as a
possible candidate is White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.