By announcing she will explore a run instead of just jumping in the race, Preckwinkle would continue to buy herself time to solidify support without having to engage with the other announced candidates in the field, who would take aim as she likely would enter with the immediate status as the new frontrunner. Holding off on launching a formal campaign might not stop the scrutiny from starting of Preckwinkle’s handling of county finances and her botched attempt at instituting a pop tax last year, which initially passed but later was abandoned under pressure from business interests.