In W MI, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he’s ‘road testing’ presidential run

Former Chicago mayor and potential presidential candidate Rahm Emanuel was in Wayland Monday talking to union leaders about skilled trades training.

The election of 2026 will be a major test of where our country goes in the years to come. With the U.S. Senate and House up for grabs as well as the governor’s race in Michigan and every seat in the legislature, this year’s election will be a major moment going forward. But even before that happens, there are some folks already looking forward to an open presidential race in 2028.

The race for president doesn’t ever really end. There are any number of governors who have been auditioning for years, not to mention members of the U.S. Senate that no doubt are considering their future in regard to 2028.

One man who is already eyeing a run is Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel previously served as the White House chief of staff under former President Barack Obama, as the mayor of Chicago and as a congressman. He was most recently ambassador to Japan.

Now, he’s eyeing a return to the White House as he considers his own presidential campaign.

Rahm Emanuel was in Wayland Monday morning talking to union leaders about obtaining the American dream — with home ownership and a living wage, which is says is increasingly hard to achieve — through skilled trades.

While there, he told News 8 he’s had a “dream life for a … child of an immigrant,” adding that his parents came to the United States without “a bucket to spit in.”

“It’s a great America. I’ve worked for … three great presidents at different levels, city hall, earned the confidence of the people of Chicago. … I’ve got one election left in me,” he said. “I’m road testing, and if I think I’ve have a way to put out there and answer that question that I think is itching at America, I’ll dive into the deep end without my water wings.”

If he does enter the race, he’ll be up against several other current and former officer holders in the primary. At least 35 Democrats are considering a 2028 campaign, while another 30 Republicans may be eyeing a run.