Rahm's Mayoral Foes Challenge His Chi-Town Residency

At least five Chicagoans are challenging Rahm Emanuel's right to run for city mayor. Their petitions argue that President Obama's former White House Chief of Staff - the front runner in a crowded Chicago mayoral field - has not met the city's one-year residency requirement for political office, The New York Times reports.

An Emanuel campaign lawyer told reporters on Wednesday the candidate does qualify, contrary to claims filed in formal objections with the Cook County, Ill., elections office. The Caucus blog reports, "One complicating factor: While he was away, Emanuel rented his home to a business man who has, in recent days, launched his own unexpected campaign for mayor from Mr. Emanuel's house."

A President Clinton advisor and former U.S. House member known for a bare-knuckled, Chicago-bred political style, Emanuel, 50, resigned from the Obama administration in January to return to his hometown and join the contest to replace outgoing Mayor Richard M. Daley - who became mayor in 1989 with help from $7 million that Emanuel took in as a prolific Daley fundraiser.