Penny Pritzker, a member of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and the National Finance Chairwoman of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, stands outside as US President Barack Obama meets with US military veterans at the Gateway Breakfast House in Portland, Oregon, July 24, 2012. (Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages)
CHICAGO (AP) – Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker has resigned from the Chicago Board of Education.
Pritzker is a leading candidate to be the next U.S. Commerce Secretary. She is a longtime ally of President Barack Obama and was a top fundraiser during his 2008 and 2012 campaigns.
Pritzker did not mention the potential Cabinet post or give a reason for her resignation in a letter to Mayor Rahm Emanuel Thursday. She thanked Emanuel for the opportunity to serve and said she “wholeheartedly” supports the work he’s doing to improve Chicago schools.
In a statement, Emanuel said called Pritzker “a true leader in her every business, civic and philanthropic endeavor.”
She is an heir of the Pritzker family that founded the Hyatt chain of hotels. She was Obama’s campaign finance chairwoman in 2008.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
