Battle For Rahm Emanuel's Congressional Seat Underway

Battle For Rahm Emanuel's Congressional Seat Underway

It didn't take long for Chicago Democrats to start jumping at the impending open seat in Rep. Rahm Emanuel's (D-Ill.) district.

State Rep.-elect Deborah Mell, the sister-in-law of Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), told The Hill that she would run just hours after Emanuel officially accepted President-elect Barack Obama's offer to become his chief of staff on Thursday.

Mell's father is longtime Alderman Richard Mell, and her sister is married to Blagojevich. An open lesbian, Mell said she has a solid base to work with in the 5th district's gay community.

She said she "would imagine" that the governor would endorse her.

Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley said he is leaning toward running and even took a quick swipe at Mell.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot