CHICAGO (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Roland Burris says he isn't running for Chicago mayor, despite a petition by friends to draft him.
The Democrat issued a statement Friday saying he isn't interested in the mayor's job. He thanked his supporters and said he looked forward to a "spirited" contest.
Burris was appointed by former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill the Senate seat vacated when Barack Obama was elected president.
More than a dozen people are vying to replace retiring Mayor Richard Daley, including former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, City Clerk Miguel del Valle and former school board president Gery Chico.
Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is also hoping to run, although he and other candidates face petition challenges to keep them off the Feb. 22 ballot.
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