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your Rush/CNN video was good

sounds like it is going to be an interesting race...

Emanuel, in Africa on a long planned vacation with his family, sent out the official news of his departure from the 5th congressional district seat in a robo call to his constitutients on Monday and a resignation letter to Gov. Blagojevich. Though the seat will be vacant with the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 6, House rules allow the congressional offices in Chicago and Washington to remain open and staffed to assist any ongoing casework. A special election will be held to fill the seat, with the date to be set now that Emanuel's departure date will be established. Emanuel must decide what to do with the $1,782,189 million in his campaign warchest, of which about $400,000 is a loan he made to his campaign.

" I also want you to know, it has been a privilege and an honor to serve as your Representative for the last six years. Thank you for the opportunity and thank you for your confidence," Emanuel said in his taped call.

Eleven people have already filed papers with the Federal Election Commission declaring they are possible candidates:

Alexander Victor Forys
Mike Quigley, Cook County Board Member
Charles J. Wheelan
Sara Feigenholtz, State Representative
Reichel Matthew
Joey Vartanian
Israel Vasquez
Justin Oberman, former Transportation Safety Administration official Cary Capparelli, son of former State Representative
Debra Mell, incoming State Representative, daughter of Ald. Dick Mell who is not going to pursue the seat
Jan H. Donatelli

Israel Vasquez

Oh yeah, the Puerto Rican Jew from Welcome Back Kotter...

Special Election question: Dem and GOP primaries first or a one shot deal?

Debra Mell, incoming State Representative, daughter of Ald. Dick Mell who is not going to pursue the seat

Is that Mell, as in the Dick Mell who is Rod Blagoevich's father-in-law? That one should be easy to link to Rod.