Rahm Emanuel Weighs 2028 Presidential Bid as Democrats Grapple with Future Leadership

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke to the Economic Club of Chicago last Monday, discussing a variety of national issues and addressing his political future. Emanuel said he is considering a 2028 presidential run after serving as U.S. ambassador to Japan and weighing other political opportunities.

Within Democratic circles, it’s considered an open secret that Emanuel may run, despite not being widely known to the public.

>READ: BIDEN NOMINATES EMANUEL FOR AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN

The 65-year-old former Chicago mayor has advocated for a centrist approach since Harris’ loss and could appeal to moderate Democrats. He was previously mentioned as a candidate for DNC chair and has made media appearances. However, his candidacy might not excite progressives or voters seeking fresh leadership.

Emanuel served as Obama’s chief of staff from January 2009 until October 2010, helping the administration navigate the great recession and passage of the Affordable Care Act. He, most recently served as the U.S. ambassador to Japan during Joe Biden‘s presidency and has been actively engaging in a media tour since returning to the U.S.

His activities have included writing a column for the Washington Post, in which he advised Ukraine against pursuing a mineral deal. He also took on a role as a political commentator at CNN, where he criticized Trump for making America “predatory” in its foreign policy. Additionally, he appeared on Bill Maher‘s show, where he chastised his party for focusing on social issues while neglecting the country’s educational shortcomings. “In seventh grade, if I had known I could’ve said the word ‘they’ and gotten in the girls’ bathroom, I would’ve done it,” he remarked to Maher. “We literally are a superpower, we’re facing off against China with 1.4 billion people, and two-thirds of our children can’t read eighth-grade level.”

The prospect of the former Obama official and congressman entering the race for the Democratic presidential nomination has not been warmly received online, as many Democrats are still grappling with the aftermath of the challenging 2024 presidential election.

“Rahm Emanuel was a NAFTA architect, cheerleader of the Iraq War, proponent of Wall St dereg that created the financial crisis & mayor whose administration covered up the murder of a teenager. Him being a presidential contender is a perfect commentary on today’s Democratic Party,” David Sirota, a former senior adviser to Bernie Sanders, wrote on X.

The 2028 presidential race has already sparked significant discussion, with several Democrats being considered as potential candidates following the 2024 election. Should Emanuel enter the race, he would likely face stiff competition, as multiple prominent figures, including governors and lawmakers, are expected to run.

A recent Echelon Insights poll shows former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to President Trump in the 2024 election, leading the field due to her high national name recognition. Although Harris has not yet made her intentions clear, speculation suggests she may run for governor of California next year. She has given herself until the end of summer to make a decision, which could eliminate her from the 2028 presidential race. However, even if she opts out of a presidential run, the competition for the Democratic nomination is expected to remain fierce.