Rahm Launches Re-Election Campaign

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election campaign will hos its official launch event Saturday. Mary Ann Ahern reports.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is making his re-election run official on Saturday with a big campaign announcement.

The announcement comes with less than three months left before Chicago voters head to the polls.

Emanuel's challengers are already calling for a series of debates before the Feb. 24 election.

Though he has nearly $10 million in the bank, City Hall sources say Emanuel is taking nothing for granted.

The announcement is expected to be made at Cinespace in the Pilsen neighborhood, where many TV shows are filmed.

Some aldermen told NBC Chicago they don't plan on attending, but others said they would show support and could perhaps use some of his campaign war chest.

"[The aldermen] are going to be there because they want his money, they are facing tough re-elections in many of the communities," said mayoral challenger Ald. Bob Fioretti.

Fioretti asked for five debates before the February election.

"I don't think the mayor of the City of Chicago should be scared of debating his rivals," Fioretti said.

Another mayoral contender, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia agreed.

"Sounds like a good number to me," he said. "Five, six, it doesn't matter."

Earlier this week, Emanuel said he wouldn't commit beyond a debate.

"We've got to make sure who the field is, starting working on that," Emanuel said. "I said I'd have a debate."

There are still petition challenges underway for various candidates, but the debates may be limited to those polling as the top three candidates.

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