Candidates Vie for Rahm's Old Seat

By Kevin Robinson in News on Feb 3, 2009 3:40PM

With the new Obama administration settled into the West Wing and Illinois 5th District Congressman Rahm Emanuel resigned from congress and serving as White House Chief of Staff, Democrats, Republicans and Greens are lined up to take his place in the House of Representatives.

While the rest of the district watched the Super Bowl, 11 candidates showed up Sunday at DePaul for a two hour candidates forum. Health care and same-sex marriage were among the topics discussed, as were specific questions about the proposed economic recovery bill before congress. County Commissioner Mike Quigley identified public transit as a key issue, addressing infrastructure, jobs and global warming, while State Rep. John Fritchey said that funding for public schools is critical.

Whomever comes out of the early March primary and early April special election, however, may have Rahmbo himself to face down later on. That's because Fritchey told the Tribune that Emanuel may want his seat back again. "I spoke with Rahm maybe a week or two after he had accepted the job of chief of staff," Fritchey told the Tribune. "At that time, he had commented to me that he may be interested in running one day again for the seat. I told him that should I be fortunate enough to run, and should I be fortunate enough to win the seat, I would look forward to campaigning against him."