WASHINGTON--Former Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) dropped out of the Chicago mayoral race on Friday. Burris, who left the Senate on Nov. 29, had filed petitions to run in the Feb. 22 primary. In leaving the contest, he did not make an endorsement.

Burris said in a statement, "I want to thank all of those who backed me for the office of mayor and those who signed the petition, but I will not be offering myself as a candidate for mayor of Chicago.

"In the last 30 years, the people of Chicago have not had many opportunities to elect a new mayor--specifically, for an open seat. This election is very important, because it will determine whether Chicago remains the attractive, competitive, creative, effective, and productive city we all know it to be.

"I wish all of those who are in the race well. As a voter, I look forward to a spirited contest."