Rahm Emanuel Wins Chicago Mayoral Race

Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel received a new title Tuesday evening: Mayor-elect.

With 86 percent of the city's voting precincts counted, Emanuel stood with 55 percent of the vote as the Associated Press declared him the clear winner, with enough votes to avoid an April 5 run-off election.

Emanuel will succeed retiring Mayor Richard Daley who has held the office since 1989.

The Chicago-Sun Times reports:

Emanuel appears to be riding a $12 million media blitz, a near endorsement from President Obama and the full endorsement of former President Bill Clinton to a one-and-done victory over three major rivals.

In second place was former school board chief Gery Chico, with 24 percent. Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and City Clerk Miguel del Valle each had 9 percent.

With Braun coming in behind del Valle, Emanuel was poised to capture a big enough chunk of the black vote to close out Chicago’s first wide-open mayor’s race in 64 years.

“It looks like this thing is all over,” said Ald. Pat O‚Connor (40th), whose North Side ward delivered a 65 percent vote for Emanuel.

“It’s tough to beat somebody who’s worked for two presidents, had experience in Congress and can actually point to things at the national level that everybody is aware of,” O’Connor said. “He’s also a prodigious fundraiser and a tireless campaigner. That’s a resume and a record that’s hard to match.”

Emanuel celebrated his victory Tuesday night by thanking his: "You sure know how to make a guy feel at home."