Braun left as main black candidate in Chicago race

CHICAGO (AP) – U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun has emerged as the sole prominent African American candidate in the Chicago mayor’s race after the withdrawal of U.S. Rep. Danny Davis.

Braun was the first black woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate.      Davis’ announced his decision at a New Year’s Eve news conference after weeks of pressure from African American leaders. They contended only a consensus black candidate would have a chance to beat former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and other prominent contenders in the race to replace retiring Mayor Richard Daley.

The 63-year-old Braun faces questions about miscues during her time in Washington and about being out of the spotlight for years.