Crowd seeks Emanuel's House seat

[City Lights]

Crowd seeks Emanuel's House seat
5TH DISTRICT | Open primary looms -- unless Daley weighs in

November 14, 2008

BY FRAN SPIELMAN AND MARK J. KONKOL Staff Reporters

Unless Mayor Daley weighs in with a favorite, there's likely to be an open Democratic primary to fill the 5th District congressional seat being vacated by newly appointed White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, an influential ward boss said Thursday.

Ald. William Banks (36th), who will convene the slatemaking session, said at least 15 candidates have expressed an interest in replacing Emanuel, making it difficult for any one of them to get the weighted votes needed to secure an endorsement.

The district includes Chicago's Northwest Side and portions of the west suburbs, It includes 19 Chicago wards and two suburban township: Proviso and Leyden.

That means 21 Democratic committeemen will cast 140,000 weighted votes, with just over 70,000 needed to nail down the endorsement.

The crowded field of candidates includes at least six aldermen: Manuel Flores (1st), Ariel Reboyras (30th), Tom Allen (38th), Margaret Laurino (39th), Tom Tunney (44th) and Eugene Schulter (47th). Ald. Patrick O'Connor (40th), Daley's unofficial City Council floor leader, is a long-shot possibility.

Also calling Banks to express an interest were state Representatives John Fritchey, John D'Amico and Sara Feigenholtz; state Rep.-elect Deborah Mell; former Emanuel challenger Peter Dagher; Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley; Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Cynthia Santos, and John Borovicka, Emanuel's former chief of staff.

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