Rahm Emanuel backs Hillary Clinton for president
Washington (CNN) Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made his support for Hillary Clinton official on Friday, announcing through a pro-Clinton super PAC that he supports the former secretary of state for president, if she runs.
The former political adviser to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama said he has seen Clinton's work firsthand and encouraged her to seek the office.
"When I worked with her in the White House, I saw what an effective leader she was," he said, adding that he knows "as president, she would continue to move our country forward."
"Hillary is smart, she's determined, and most importantly, she is a champion for the American people," Emanuel said in a statement released by Ready for Hillary, a pro-Clinton super PAC.
"I'm proud to make my support for her official, and I'm even prouder to join more than two million Americans encouraging her to run," he said. In addition to supporting Clinton, Ready for Hillary announced that Emanuel will headline two of the group's fundraisers in Chicago on June 5.
Emanuel's support for a Clinton run was not a secret, but Friday's announcement made it official. Last October, Emanuel told CNN's Jake Tapper, "Im behind Hillary if she runs. And I think she will, but thats up to her. If she runs, Im in."
Ready for Hillary, with backing from a number of close Clinton advisers, is one of a handful of pro-Clinton super PACs that are working to urge Clinton to run in 2016.
Although their main focus has been in building a list of supporters and volunteers for a hypothetical Clinton campaign, they have recently been lining up a number of high-profile endorsements for the former first lady.
Last week, Ready for Hillary announced that Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia was joining their effort and thereby supporting a possible Clinton bid.
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Rahm Emanuel backs Hillary Clinton for president