CHICAGO (AP) — The Rev. Jesse Jackson and other black religious and political leaders from across Chicago have met to discuss the city's upcoming mayoral race.
Jackson says the leaders met Saturday to start coming up with criteria they think candidates should meet.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley stunned the city this week when he announced that he won't run for re-election next year.
Jackson says the meeting was a step toward building a coalition of support for a candidate.
He says whoever emerges needs to be able to raise money, get signatures and get people registered to vote — and do it all quickly.
Candidates have until Nov. 22 to file petitions to run.
Jackson says the race is a "great opportunity to focus on urban policy" and urban issues.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
(Defender/Worsom Robinson, file)
