Chicago Treasurer Kurt Summers says he will not run for Illinois governor, despite seeking the endorsement of Cook County Democratic Party leaders earlier this year.
Instead, he’s endorsing one of the Democrats hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner.
When Summers said Wednesday that he’s not running for governor, he really didn’t explain why. He endorsed billionaire venture capitalist JB Pritzker, saying Pritzker would best serve the African-American community as governor.
“JB is the person to lead Illinois, prioritizing those who are most vulnerable,” he said.
Summers was appointed as Chicago’s treasurer in December 2014 and won election to the seat in February 2015. He would have been the first African-American candidate to enter the 2018 gubernatorial race.
In next year’s Democratic primary, Pritzker is joined by State Sen. Daniel Biss, Madison County regional school superintendent Bob Daiber, former Merchandise Mart President Chris Kennedy, and Chicago Ald. Amaya Pawar.
- Illinois Public Radio's Tony Arnold contributed to this story.