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A Nicer Rahm for Chicago Mayor

Officially announced his bid Saturday.

During his time as President Obama’s chief of staff, and three terms in Congress, Rahm Emanuel garnered a reputation as a brazen politician. So the emotional, humble man who stood in front of a packed house at an elementary school to announce his bid for mayor of Chicago on Saturday was something of a surprise. Flanked by his wife, children, and father, Benjamin M. Emanuel, a pediatrician known around Chicago as “Doc” Emanuel, the 50-year-old Democratic candidate got choked up when he spoke about his childhood growing up in Chicago, and his decision to return to his hometown. “Only the opportunity to help President Obama as his chief of staff could have pried me away from here,” he said. “And only the opportunity to lead this city could have pried me away from the president's side.” Emanuel hopes to take the place of Richard Daley, who’s served as mayor of Chicago since 1989, and aims to raise $6 million to $8 million before the Feb. 22 elections.