Mayor Rahm Emanuel Biography

Mayor of Chicago, 2011-2019

  • Democratic Party
  • Elected 55th mayor of Chicago February 22, 2011 in primary non-partisan election; defeated Gery Chico, Miguel del Valle, Carol Moseley Braun, Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins and William Walls
  • General election not held due to winning majority in primary
  • Inauguration: May 16, 2011

Biographical

  • Born November 29, 1959 in Chicago
  • Graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1981
  • Graduated from Northwestern University in 1985 with master’s degree in speech and communication
  • Served as adviser to the White House, 1993-1999
  • In 2002 elected to U.S. House of Representatives, representing 5th District of Illinois
  • Re-elected to House of Representatives in 2004
  • Appointed chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2005
  • Served on House Ways and Means Committee in 2005
  • Re-elected to House of Representatives in 2006
  • In 2007 elected House Democratic Caucus chair
  • Re-elected to House of Representatives in 2008 but declined the seat
  • Served as White House chief of staff, 2009-2010

Sources

  • Chase, John, and Rick Pearson. "Mayor Emanuel." Chicago Tribune, February 23, 2011, p. 1.
  • “Emanuel, Rahm.” Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress. 2011.
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