Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced that he will not be seeking re-election next year. His administration has become the subject of criticism due to their failure to curb crime and address poverty.

It appears that Chicago’s residents are getting what they want. Many have grown resentful of the mayor due to his ineffective policies; some have even called for the mayor’s resignation. Others have stated that they do not agree with his making the city a “Trump-free zone.”

Emanuel Not Seeking Re-Election

After serving two terms as Chicago’s mayor, Rahm Emanuel has decided to call it quits. “I’ve decided not to seek re-election,” he said. “This has been the job of a lifetime, but it is not a job for a lifetime.”

Emanuel’s announcement came as a surprise to many as the mayor had previously stated that he intended to run for a third term. According to the Chicago Tribune, his campaign has already taken in $10 million.

Chicago’s residents grew increasingly dissatisfied with the mayor over his two terms. His failure to deal with the rampant gang violence and drug trafficking – which claims the lives of hundreds each year – have turned Chicagoans against his administration. Additionally, the fact that he seems to be more concerned with protecting illegal immigrants than protecting his own people encouraged a high level of resentment.

Recently, residents held a demonstration against Emanuel, calling for his resignation. Participants carried signs that read “one city, one Chicago,” and “Rahm has to go.” The activists railed against the mayor, criticizing his focus on developing certain areas of the city while neglecting others. One of the protesters told Fox News: “Rahm Emanuel is a con man. His whole job is to keep black folks divided.”

What Will Happen Next?

Emanuel’s departure is a positive sign. It is likely that opposition from the residents of the city showed him that he may not win another election. Unfortunately, it is not likely that his replacement will be an improvement.

If the people of Chicago elect another Democrat, their conditions will not change. Democrat leaders typically earn the support of inner cities by pretending to care about their needs. Once they are in office, they implement programs that keep the resident in poor conditions, forcing them to rely on the state.

During his tenure in office, Emanuel did very little to combat the gang violence in the city. Indeed, his programs made it more difficult for law enforcement officers to protect citizens. Another Democrat is not likely to rectify these problems.

To make matters worse, the city’s GOP does not have much of a foothold in the community. It is unknown how much support they receive from the Republican Party, which has been neglecting the inner cities over the past few decades. This reality is unfortunate as these communities need leaders who are dedicated to protecting them, not making them more reliant on the government.

Perhaps the GOP will realize that they do have an opportunity to make inroads in these areas. Many residents are realizing that the Democrats do not have their best interests at heart. Now is the time for conservatives to be engaging with these individuals. Otherwise, they will continue to live in the conditions the Democrats have created for them.