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CHICAGO (Associated Press)—Illinois State Sen. James Meeks has reversed himself, saying he will drop his church duties as pastor to devote all his time to his campaign for Chicago mayor.

Mr. Meeks told the congregation of 22,000-member Salem Missionary Baptist Church he has delegated “all day-to-day responsibility” for church operations to his senior staff. In a Nov. 1 statement Mr. Meeks, a Democrat, said he made the move “so that he can fully prepare for his impending mayoral campaign” to succeed Mayor Richard M. Daley, who decided against seeking another term.

In October Mr. Meeks had said he wouldn’t give up his ministry if he is elected mayor. That had led several African-American aldermen to virtually rule him out as a candidate to back in the mayoral race.