Emanuel says he’ll back Quinn for governor

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says there’s no question he will back Gov. Pat Quinn’s re-election bid, despite his friendship with a Republican challenger.

Emanuel told Crain’s Chicago Business that he’ll back his fellow Democrat, even though he has befriended Bruce Rauner and worked with him on business matters and school reform.

Rauner is a Winnetka venture capitalist and among four people vying for the GOP nomination.

Emanuel says he and Rauner “vigorously disagree on politics.” The mayor says Rauner sees government as the problem, while he sees it as a solution in issues like education reform.

Quinn’s top challenger in the Democratic primary, William Daley, dropped out of the race in September. The only other announced gubernatorial primary candidate is Tio Hardiman, a former Chicago anti-violence activist.