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Chicago votes for mayor - former Obama aide with commanding lead
Feb 22, 2011, 16:11 GMT
Washington - Voters in Chicago went to the polls Tuesday in a mayoral election that could put one of President Barack Obama's closest former aides in charge.
Rahm Emanuel, the former White House chief of staff, is the clear favourite in the six-person race, but was hoping for an outright victory of 50 per cent to avoid a run-off election on April 5.
A Chicago Tribune survey in the last week showed Emanuel expected to garner 49 per cent of the vote, well above his closest rival, Gery Chico, who had 19 per cent.
Emanuel, a 52-year-old former Illinois congressman, resigned as chief of staff in October to run for mayor of Obama's home town.
He is vying to replace Richard Daley, who is not running after serving six terms in the post. He is the longest-ever serving mayor of Chicago, first elected in 1989.
Obama has kept some distance from the high-profile race, though former president Bill Clinton has openly backed Emanuel's candidacy.
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