Ailing CTU President Not Running For Mayor Of Chicago
(CBS) -- Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, who had surgery recently and remains in the hospital, will not be challenging Rahm Emanuel in next year's mayoral election.
"Karen Lewis has decided to not pursue a mayoral bid. Yet she charges us to continue fighting for strong neighborhood schools, safe communities, and good jobs for everyone," Jay Travis, coordinator of the Karen Lewis Exploratory Committee, said in a statement on Monday.
Lewis has been in the hospital since Oct. 5 for an undisclosed ailment. The Chicago Sun-Times, citing an unnamed source, reported Lewis will require chemotherapy and radiation for a brain tumor.
CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey, who is currently filling Lewis' role as head of the CTU, spoke with her on Monday and says she is still recovering and in good spirits. The release did not indicate whether health concerns led to her decision.
Lewis had never officially declared her candidacy, but she did form an exploratory committee and was collecting signatures. CBS 2 has learned volunteers were told to stop collecting signatures this weekend.
Lewis' decision not to run leaves 2nd Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti as the main candidate to challenge incumbent Rahm Emanuel.
"For Chicago's sake, I hope this is not the last we see of Karen Lewis. I have the pleasure of calling her a friend, and I join many across this city in praying for her health today," Fioretti said in a prepared statement.
Fioretti says he is unsure of what support he might get from Lewis supporters, but believes he and Lewis share the same views on many issues.
Mayor Emanuel also released a statement wishing Lewis well.
"I have always respected and admired Karen's willingness to step up and be part of the conversation about our city's future, but nothing is more important than a person's health. Along with all Chicagoans, I will keep Karen and her family in our thoughts and prayers, and we look forward to seeing her on her feet very soon," he said.
Roosevelt University Professor Paul Green says the feisty CTU president would have given Emanuel a run for his money.
"I'm a professor, not a prophet, but she certainly would have given him a hell of a fight. She's fearless," he told CBS 2's Mike Parker.