Poll Shows Emanuel Far Ahead
CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM) -- A new poll in the mayoral race shows Rahm Emanuel with a comfortable lead – but not a majority of support.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Bob Roberts reports, the poll shows Emanuel with 44 percent, Carol Moseley Braun at 21 percent, and Gery Chico at 16 percent. Miguel del Valle comes in at 7 percent, and 9 percent are undecided.
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But don't tell Braun that means Emanuel is on the verge of avoiding a runoff.
"I think we're doing great," Braun said. "As you point out, the poll numbers are up."
Braun's support stood at only 6 percent a month ago, even though Emanuel has outraised her $11.7 million to $573,000.
A campaign representative says Braun plans to conduct canvassing and a lot of door-to-door campaigning to close the gap.
Chico has raised $2.4 million, and is up in the polls from 9 percent last month. A campaign representative says Chico is also encouraged, and believes debates will only cost Emanuel votes.
The Tribune poll says Braun has gained substantial support among African-American voters, but Emanuel has too. Chico has made inroads among white and Latino supporters, the Tribune reported.
The Tribune/WGN poll of 708 likely voters was conducted from Saturday through Wednesday. It has a margin of error of 3.7 percentage points, the Tribune reported.
The election if Feb. 22. If a candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, there will not be a runoff election in April.
