Emanuel decision on Chicago race expected soon, source says.

Emanuel decision on Chicago race expected soon, source says

By Anne E. Kornblut Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 28, 2010; 2:04 AM

White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel could announce as soon as Friday whether he will leave to run for mayor of Chicago, a source close to him said Monday night.
The source said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss Emanuel’s plans. cautioned against presuming that Emanuel would definitely leave the White House, saying, “Because of family considerations, no final decision has been made.”
The chief of staff has been expected to pursue the Chicago job since Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) announced earlier this month that he would not run next year for a seventh term. Emanuel, 50, grew up in Chicago and he rose to national prominence as the chief fundraiser for Daley’s first mayoral campaign in 1989.
But the timing of his departure from the White House has remained an open question, with many speculating that he would stay through the midterm elections in six weeks.
The deadline to file nominating papers for the mayor’s race is Nov. 22, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners’ Web site.
President Obama told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos recently that he believes Emanuel would make “a terrific mayor.”