Replacing Rahm
Tuesday's primary election to narrow field
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Twelve candidates remain in the race to replace Rahm Emanuel as 5th District Congressman from Illinois.
The race is on. Actually, it's almost over.
Voters are trickling into polls today to choose among nearly two dozen candidates in a special primary election to determine who will get the chance to replace former U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel.
Election officials said no problems were reported at the district's 578 precincts and voter turnout was, as expected, low.
"It's always low in a special primary," said Jim Allen, a spokesman for the Chicago Board of Elections. "There's a short amount of time to get to know the candidates. There's not as much enthusiasm or knowledge as you'd have with a presidential or gubernatorial election where there are months of buildup or escrutiny."
As voters go to the polls to vote for the 5th District Congressional seat left vacant by Emanuel, their choices are many. Too many, most would say.
There are 12 candidates on the ballot, and, as the Sun-Times reported this morning, "all 12 candidates believe -- like Cubs fans do -- that they could go all the way this year and ultimately win the April 7 general election."
To help voters choose from the large pool of candidates, WBEZ's "Eight-Forty-Eight" offers a 30-second pitch from each of the original 23 candidates on its Web site.
The Chicago Tribune, likewise, offers in its Tuesday edition, a brief look at the candidates and what they have to offer.
The Sun-Times says many of the candidates will gather with supporters to watch the return from North Side watering holes.
How's that for a change and healthy reform?
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Chicago
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