Garry McCarthy announces run for Chicago mayor

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Former Chicago police superintendent Garry McCarthy announced Wednesday night he will run for mayor in 2019.

In a video posted on his campaign website, McCarthy said Chicago is on the wrong path.

"We can't lift this city up if our citizens don't trust their mayor to do what's right. The mayor has promised results for years, but he's failed over and over again," he said in the video.

The son of a World War II veteran and cop and a night shift nurse, McCarthy highlighted his working class roots.

"So when I became a police officer in 1981, I wore my dad's shield number 14573, and I made a promise to serve with honor and integrity," he said in the video.

McCarthy has been raising his public profile for months, appearing last weekend at the St. Patrick's Day Parade and holding a recent fundraiser.

"As a community activist and someone who is very critical of former superintendent Garry McCarthy, I am one who believes Garry McCarthy as mayor of Chicago is very problematic," said community activist William Calloway.

"I think it will be a tough to say that he had nothing to do with the Laquan McDonald scandal or that it wasn't his fault. He was the top cop," said ABC7 political analyst Laura Washington.

ABC7 Eyewitness News left messages for Mayor Emanuel's campaign spokesperson but did not hear back. The election is in February 2019.

McCarthy, 58, joins an already-crowded field of potential challengers, including former CPS principal Troy LaRaviere, businessman Willie Wilson, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas, Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer and entrepreneur Neal Sales-Griffin.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed McCarthy to replace Jody Weis as police superintendent shortly after his election in 2011. He resigned at Emanuel's request on Dec. 1, 2015, after massive protests following the city's release of dash-cam footage showing the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014.

McCarthy came under fire following the release of the video. McDonald was shot 16 times by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in October 2014. Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder.

McCarthy's tenure as Chicago's top cop lasted just over four years, but his time in law enforcement started when he was 22 years old.

In 1981, McCarthy joined the New York Police Department. He rose through the ranks, starting as a patrolman, then precinct commander, and then deputy commissioner.

He held that position until 2006, when he took over as the police director in Newark, New Jersey.

In 2012, just over a year after coming to Chicago, McCarthy faced one of his first big challenges as Chicago's top cop: the NATO Summit. He was praised for a job well done, managing thousands of protesters during the two-day conference of world leaders.

FULL STATEMENT FROM GARRY MCCARTHY ANNOUNCING MAYORAL CAMPAIGN

"It is no secret that Chicago is on the wrong path. This administration has brought us our failed education system, the overwhelming tax burden on hard-working people, and the violent crime that plagues the entire city. Over the past year, thousands of Chicagoans have approached and encouraged me to run for mayor to fix these problems. Under the current administration, we've heard nothing but broken promises from City Hall. When our Mayor focuses on politics, and not problem solving, none of us can move forward. It's time for new leadership that will fix our problems and pull us together. After thoughtful consideration and at the urging of my supporters, community leaders, and my family, I am officially announcing that I am running for Mayor of Chicago.

With your help, I will humbly work in service to this city, each and every day."