Bill Daley isn't ruling out a run for Illinois governor in 2014.
The former White House chief of staff told WLS Radio's hosts Wednesday morning he's thought about a gubernatorial bid before and still keeps it in his back pocket.
"I don’t take it off the table, but I think right now, to be very frank with you, the last thing in the world anybody wants to hear about is some race that’s two years down the road,” Daley said.
On the political scene, the governor's race officially started the day after the election with candidates on both sides gearing up for a fight. Besides Gov. Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan is rumored to be considering a bid along with potential GOP candidates who include state Treasurer Dan Rutherford, Sen. Kirk Dillard, Sen. Bill Brady, Rep. Aaron Schock and businessman Bruce Rauner.
Daley, chief of staff successor to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and brother of former Mayor Richard Daley, stepped down from his White House post in January to spend more time with family.
“I’m not closing the door, and I know that sounds like a politician," he added, "but the fact of the matter is these are tough days, and I think there’s a lot to be done by the legislature.”
Daley described Quinn as an honest, decent guy who’s come through ... as either the number one or number two elected official in the state.”
But he nudged the governor a bit on downstate sluggishness.
"So far it’s been very difficult to get [things] done down in Springfield. But he’s got a couple of more tries I think before the re-election for him, if he runs again.”
Quinn's running again, that's for sure.
"Of course," he told reporters Wednesday at an unrelated event. "I'm the governor. We don't plan to change the title."
