Rahm Emanuel has said he will wait until after the 2026 midterm elections before deciding whether to launch a 2028 presidential campaign, while Chicago mayoral candidate John Kelly has vowed to challenge Amtrak’s proposed rail facility in Bridgeport.
The former Chicago mayor and US ambassador to Japan discussed his political future in an interview with FOX Chicago, saying any decision on a White House bid would depend on his assessment of the country’s direction and the strength of the case he could make to voters.
Emanuel has increasingly been testing the prospect of a Democratic campaign, but has not formally declared his candidacy. He has previously said he is weighing a run and has been developing policy proposals while appearing at political events across the United States.
He was interviewed at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago during discussions about youth mentorship programmes. Emanuel said his priority was identifying what he believed was damaging America and offering a credible alternative, rather than simply making the election a referendum on Donald Trump.
John Kelly challenges Amtrak’s Bridgeport plans
Kelly, a Chicago lobbyist and candidate for mayor, told FOX Chicago that he believed he could stop Amtrak’s plan to build a new Midwest Maintenance Facility in Bridgeport.
The proposed facility would be built at the Canal Street Yard, an existing Union Pacific railyard. Amtrak says the project would modernise maintenance operations, improve reliability and support about 3,000 jobs during construction.
The company received federal grants of up to $572 million for the maintenance facility and a further $87 million for bridge and viaduct repairs in Chicago, according to Amtrak.
The proposal has faced opposition from local residents and elected officials. Chicago City Council members introduced a resolution in September calling for hearings into Amtrak’s site-selection process, environmental review and the potential effect on surrounding communities.
The resolution, introduced by 11th Ward alderwoman Nicole Lee, listed 35 alderpeople as sponsors and sought greater transparency before the project proceeds. Kelly said the dispute would be a central issue in his mayoral campaign.
