Former Obama Education Secretary Arne Duncan Won't Run For Mayor

CHICAGO — Arne Duncan, who served as President Obama’s Secretary of Education and who had been pondering a run at becoming Chicago’s mayor in 2023, announced on Tuesday he will not seek the office but will support anyone who makes the city safer.

Duncan announced his decision on social media on Tuesday in which he said that he is “exactly where I need to be, doing the work I love.” Duncan, who serves as a managing partner at Chicago CRED and who formerly served as the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, said that he will continue in his work as a way to reduce gun violence across the city.

“After a lot of thought, I have decided I will not be running for Mayor but will work with anyone serious about making our city safer,” Duncan wrote on Twitter.

He added: “I have never been part of a more courageous and committed team. The best way I can serve our city is to stay laser focused on reducing gun violence and stay engaged at our sites, on the streets and in the lives of our participants.”

Duncan, 57, has often criticized Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s handling of gun violence across Chicago and had hinted that he may oppose the first-term mayor in 2023. Lightfoot has not formally announced that she will seek a second term but is widely expected to seek a return to office.

Duncan has previously pointed in a significant of reduction of Chicago Police Department officers since 2019 when Lightfoot took office. Duncan said previously that he was encouraged by Chicago business leaders to run against Lightfoot when the Office of Mayor returns to the ballot.

"We have a (police) department that's been defunded," Duncan said in the past. "Just as devastating, maybe more devastating, is we have a department extraordinarily demoralized right now.

Duncan did not mention Lightfoot in his statement on Tuesday but hinted that he would support candidates who would run against Lightfoot. The Chicago Tribune reported on Tuesday that possible mayoral candidates could include Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates, Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, South Side Ald. Roderick Sawyer, downtown Ald. Brian Hopkins and former city Building Commissioner Judy Frydland.