Former principal Troy LaRaviere launches fundraising site to challenge Emanuel

Troy LaRaviere, a former Chicago Public Schools principal and longtime mayoral critic, has launched a campaign fundraising website to challenge Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

“We’re building this campaign so we can bring competence and integrity to the Mayor’s Office,” LaRaviere said in a Tuesday morning announcement of www.troyforchicago.com.

“For years, many of you have fruitlessly pounded on the doors of City Hall with practical and powerful ideas to solve our city’s problems, only to be turned away, ignored, and force-fed policies advanced by cronyism, corruption, and photo opportunities,” the website reads. “Our campaign will work with you to create and realize a compelling vision for Chicago.”

LaRaviere is head of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, which advocates for CPS school leaders. He hasn’t previously held public office but campaigned in 2015 for Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia as Garcia tried to oust Emanuel. CPS fired him in 2016 from the top-rated Blaine Elementary School in Lake View, chiding him for using his office to do political work.

He is the first candidate to officially declare he’s in the race.

Garry McCarthy, the Chicago Police Department superintendent Emanuel fired in the wake of the release of video showing police gunning down teenager Laquan McDonald, has set up an interactive website capable of soliciting ideas and raising money. He has also scheduled a campaign fundraiser.

In a quarterly report filed this week, McCarthy reported raising $49,184 and spending $47,711. That leaves him with $1,572 on hand. One of his donors was Blair Hull, who lost the 2004 U.S. Senate race won by now-former President Barack Obama.