Politics

Rep. Danny Davis exits Chicago Mayor race, endorses Moseley Braun

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A dramatic 2010 in Chicago politics ended with one last flourish Friday night as U.S. Rep. Danny Davis dropped out of the race to succeed Mayor Daley and threw his support behind Carol Moseley Braun.

“In unity there is strength. In strength there is success,” Davis said at his downtown campaign office, flanked by Braun and state Sen. James Meeks, two of his former opponents in the Feb. 22 election.

“I just want to unify behind the best candidate. Everyone I know thinks Carol is the best candidate.”

Braun and Davis had met repeatedly behind closed doors in recent days amid pressure to emerge with a single, consensus black candidate. The decisive meeting came earlier Friday, after Meeks returned to town.

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.

Full story: Davis out, endorses Braun: ‘In unity, there is strength’