Rahm Emanuel Elected Chicago Mayor

Former Obama administration White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel today coasted to an easy victory in Chicago's mayoral race.

"I want to extend my congratulations to Rahm Emanuel on a well-deserved victory tonight," Obama said in a statement. "As a Chicagoan and a friend, I couldn't be prouder. Rahm will be a terrific mayor for all the people of Chicago." Emanuel's declaration came after runner-up Gery Chico called him tonight to concede defeat. "We've elected a mayor tonight," Chico told supporters. "I want with all of my heart for Rahm Emanuel to be successful as mayor. We need that, ladies and gentlemen." Emanuel needed to be above the 50 percent benchmark to avoid a runoff election and six more weeks of campaigning, and he got what he needed. With 96 percent of precincts counted, Emanuel had 54.9 percent to 24.4 percent for Chico. City Clerk Miguel del Valle had 9.4 percent and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun was at 8.7 percent.