Rahm Emanuel To Resign From House On Friday, 10 Join Race To Replace Him

Chicago Sun-Times:

WASHINGTON--Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), incoming chief of staff for President-elect Barack Obama, will resign his seat on Jan. 2, days before the start of the new Congress. The race to replace him is attracting a large field of contenders, with 11 people having already filed statements of candidacies with the Federal Election Commission.

Emanuel, in Africa on a long planned vacation with his family, sent out the official news of his departure from the 5th congressional district seat in a robo call to his constitutients on Monday and a resignation letter to Gov. Blagojevich. Though the seat will be vacant with the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 6, House rules allow the congressional offices in Chicago and Washington to remain open and staffed to assist any ongoing casework. A special election will be held to fill the seat, with the date to be set now that Emanuel's departure date will be established. Emanuel must decide what to do with the $1,782,189 million in his campaign warchest, of which about $400,000 is a loan he made to his campaign.

Read the whole story: Chicago Sun-Times

Comments

[minty68]

Rahm has a reputation for being a pitbull, but I think as Chief of Staff that is exactly what Obama needs.

[bajamary]

Yippeeee, finally my 5th Congressional District will have a good chance for real change - not for more of the same.

Rahm is a Corporate Democrat, or as I like to call these Democrats - the Vichy Democrats.

I'm soooooo pleased that after the many years of Blago followed by Rahm, my 5th Illinois Congressional District may be represented by a Progressive politician.

[Vazzman]

Thank you for the vote of confidence and if you are not busy would you like to campaign for change in the 5th District , My campaign committee believes this scandal in Illinois has brought light and exposed the Chicago Political Machine and brought it to a halt and benefiting the newcomer a complete outsider ending the corruption in how chicago elects it's politicians please help me elect israel2congress if anyone wants to volunteer contact me at [e-mail]

[iblisexpat]

You are kidding, right?

[iblisexpat]

I would rather have him stay in the House rather than be Obama's gate keeper.

[bubbuh]

I just gave the story a little more thought. This kind of a reverse Blago. Not only have 11 people to date filed to run for the seat he is vacating in the special election.; but, Rahm has to get rid of$1,382,189 leftover in his campaign war chest, assuming he's going to pay himself back.

US politics is very strange in mnay ways.

[bubbuh]

I know I read something about Rahm wanting a seatwarmer. But, with 11 people filing to run for his already, it's obvious that he asked for a seatswarmer.

[PippiLongstocking]

Rahm is a s.e.x.y mofo.

[minty68]

You've got something there. He's no hansome, but there is something about him...

[minty68]

Where is the love?

[vegasobserver]

WE NEED HOWARD DEAN!!!

[vjoseph]

What does that have to do with Illinois?

[loki]

I was hoping it was he was resigning from the white house. As I supported and voted for Obama, I do not support this person. He is just as bad as the worst Neo Con. The bad news about this story is that it will be a republican that gets his seat. You can bet on that.

[47th]

I couldn't agree more! Emanuel doesn't have a progressive bone in his body. I am however, glad he is not my congressman anymore.

[nogimmicks]

Howard Dean would be a great Chief of Staff. Rahm should resign. However, Rahm has done enough damage already with the current Cabinet appointments. 70% of them are clearly anti-publi­c-interest bordering outrageous.

[gtalkspolitics]

Rahm Emanuel will be a great Chief of Staff good choice PE Obama.

[vjoseph]

Yes he will

[Revelation1118]

oh wait, lets see.......­....The far left likes to EXCUSE the P_alestinian rockets as "bottle rockets" or "f_irecrackers" as several leftist commenter's insist. Yet one of these "bottle rockets" kllled two young P_alestinian girls and i_njured a Palestinian rights worker when they went astray a couple days ago.

Any c_ondemnation?