Emanuel Gets Daley, Rush Endorsements; Wilson Votes Early
(CBS) – With the Chicago mayoral race just two weeks away, incumbent Rahm Emanuel picked up two key endorsements Monday, while challenger Willie Wilson helped kick off early voting.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports.
On endorsement comes from former mayor Richard Daley, who had lunch with Emanuel last week. He released a statement saying Emanuel "deserves another four years to continue to strengthen this city we all love."
Meanwhile, Chicago Congressman Bobby Rush said he's backing Emanuel, too, just like many other previously undecided voters on the South Side.
"I am pleased to step out from of the ranks of the undecided," Rush said.
Emanuel appeared with Rush and other influential political, business and religious leaders, even former Mayor Harold Washington's former minister, B. Herbert Martin.
The mayor is running hard to recapture the support he enjoyed in the black community four years ago. Emphasizing South Side mass transit projects like renovated Red Line and the new McCormack Place Motor Row station on the Green Line, Emanuel greeted voters at the modern new L stop while his allies reminded them about the jobs that came with those projects.
Emanuel is trying to counter charges that he's neglected the south and west sides, while bringing jobs and businesses to the Loop.
West Side Congressman Danny Davis has thrown his support to businessman Willie Wilson, who, after casting his ballot Monday morning, said Bobby Rush's endorsement didn't reflect the real sentiment in the community.
Rush's endorsement could help the mayor big-time. Daley's may be a double-edged sword, given Emanuel has directly and indirectly blamed Daley for most of the financial problems he inherited. Monday the mayor said he was honored for Daley's support.
Also running in the Feb. 24 mayoral election are Ward 2 Ald. Bob Fioretti, Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and William "Dock" Walls.
