CHICAGO -- For nearly two dozen candidates, the special primary election race for the chance to replace former U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel has been more like a sprint.
Candidates seeking their party's nomination had just two months to campaign for Tuesday's primary and will have just another month before the April 7 special election to decide the next representative from the strong Democratic district that's home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field.
The primary pits a dozen Democrats against each other, including politicians from Cook County like Commissioner Mike Quigley and longtime Chicago Alderman Patrick O'Connor to state Reps. Sara Feigenholtz and John Fritchey.
Quigley garnered endorsements from the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times.
"We don't anticipate a big turnout," said Billy Weinberg, a spokesman for Quigley. "But the ones who do turn out will be hugely motivated. I think they will be hungry for change."
The race also includes six Republicans and five Green Party candidates in a district that stretches from Chicago's wealthy North Side lakefront to ethnic enclaves on the northwest side and neighboring Cook County suburbs.
The 23 candidates are vying for the chance to finish out the two-year term Emanuel won in November and then resigned to become President Barack Obama's chief of staff at the White House.
The largely white district of Poles, Germans and Irish with a sizable Hispanic population has been Emanuel's since 2002. The district has voted overwhelmingly Democratic in past elections for Emanuel, according to the 2008 Almanac of American Politics. It's the same seat once held by ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich and former House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Rostenkowski.
Whoever wins, candidates are counting on having some advantage in Washington - although not seniority - coming from Emanuel's old district in the home city of the president.
© 2009 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
