Nov 10, 2008 8:27 pm US/Central
Field Grows To Replace Emanuel
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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In this June 6, 2008, file photo, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) left, huddles with then-presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) during an unscheduled stop at the Olympic rally in Chicago.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Barack Obama needs to be replaced in the U.S. Senate, and with North Side U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel about to become White House chief of staff, 10 potential candidates are jockeying to replace him the House.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports a special election will be held early next year.
Within four years of first winning a seat in Congress, Rahm Emanuel was already running the campaign committee that, often behind the scenes, supports all House Democrats.
Emanuel's success in helping his party to regain control of the House for the first time in a decade was one reason President-elect Obama has named him his White House chief of staff.
His promotion has triggered a political free-for-all among North Side Democrats. It's almost easier to list the local pols not running -- among them state Sen. John Cullerton. Cullerton is trying to become Illinois Senate president in January, but he knows all the serious candidates.
"Any Democratic congressman from Illinois is going to have a special place, even though they're a freshman, in the Congress," Cullerton says. "It's an exciting time."
Among the women considering a run for Emanuel's House seat are state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz; 39th Ward Ald. Margaret Laurino; state representative-elect Deborah Mell and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Smith.
Former State Rep. Nancy Kaszak, who ran unsuccessfully against Emanuel, told CBS 2 News she may run again.
Among potential male candidates: state Rep. John Fritchey; 47th Ward Ald. Eugene Schulter; 38th Ward Ald. Tom Allen and Cook County commissioners Forrest Claypool and Mike Quigley.
Former 43d Ward Ald. Edwin Eisendrath is also considering running. So, reportedly, is Emanuel's former chief of staff, John Borovicka.
Election officials would prefer that the special election happen quickly. They would like a primary to be held by February and the general election by April.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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