Rahm Emanuel Not Running For Re-Election

Long time Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be stepping down from politics.

Chicago+Mayor+Rahm+Emanuel+responds+to+a+question+during+a+news+conference+about+new+police+procedures+on+Wednesday%2C+Dec.+30%2C+2015%2C+in+Chicago.+Emanuel+says+every+Chicago+police+patrol+car+will+be+equipped+with+a+Taser+following+a+series+of+high-profile+shootings+by+officers.+%28AP+Photo%2FCharles+Rex+Arbogast%29

Charles Rex Arbogast / AP Subscription

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel responds to a question during a news conference about new police procedures on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, in Chicago. Emanuel says every Chicago police patrol car will be equipped with a Taser following a series of high-profile shootings by officers. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Earlier this week, current Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that he would not be running for re-election. Emanuel has been the mayor of Chicago since 2011, and there are many different viewpoints about his time as mayor.

Rahm Emanuel was elected Chicago’s 55th mayor seven years ago, succeeding Richard M. Daley. However, when Emanuel placed his first ballot, he was nearly removed from the running. His candidacy was initially turned down due to numerous claims that he had not completed his one year residency. Eventually, he was put back on the ballot.

Before Emanuel was mayor, he served as the White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama. Many people have had negative opinions about Emanuel due to the numerous teacher strikes and school closings over the last couple of years.

“I think it is a good thing that he isn’t running because personally I don’t like what he has done with the schools,” junior Gavin Eldridge said.

Some students don’t like some of the other political decisions that Emanuel has made.

“In my opinion I am okay with him not running for re-election because me and my family don’t agree with some of the decisions he has made,” senior Tyler Farino said.

Rahm Emanuel has been serving as Chicago’s Mayor for seven years and although his time is coming to an end, he will forever be apart of Chicago’s history, for good or for bad.