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Update: Davis Withdraws From Chicago Mayoral Race

Just days after warning former President Bill Clinton not to campaign for opponent Rahm Emanuel, Rep. Danny Davis says he's pulling out of the race to become Chicago's next mayor.

Davis, an African American, is also withdrawing from the race just days after meeting with Rev. Jesse Jackson and opponent Carol Moseley Braun, whom Davis now says he endorses. At the time, Jackson spoke publicly about the need for the mayoral race to feature just one black candidate and also warned Clinton about alienating his base of support among African American voters.

“In unity there is strength. In strength there is success,” Davis said at his downtown campaign office Friday, accompanied by Braun. “I just want to unify behind the best candidate. Everyone I know thinks Carol is the best candidate.” The Chicago Sun Times reports:

Davis’ departure clears the way for Braun to run as the only major African American candidate in a crowded field that also includes former presidential chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, former School Board President Gery Chico and City Clerk Miguel del Valle.

“I am totally dropping out of the race,” an upbeat Davis said, his famous deep voice booming. “I am supporting Carol Moseley Braun with every ounce of fervor that I have. I am even going to give her some money.

“I’m going to try to get every person who thought that they might support Danny Davis to switch their support to Carol Moseley Braun. I will start tonight.”

Davis called Braun “an outstanding woman” and introduced her as “the next mayor.”

Emanuel is currently vacationing in Thailand but released a statement praising Davis for his public service career:

“Congressman Davis’ work on behalf of the people of Chicago goes back many years, and it certainly won’t stop today — his views will be needed in the dialogue about the city’s future. With all of the challenges we face, we must come together to work on behalf of all Chicagoans and address the needs of every neighborhood.”

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