Valerie Jarrett: Obama Thinks Rahm Emanuel Should Be Eligible To Run For Mayor

Obama Thinks Rahm Should Be Able To Run, Jarrett Says

Valerie Jarrett, a Chicago native and one of President Obama's top advisors, appeared on "Good Morning America" Tuesday and said Obama believes Rahm Emanuel should be able to run for mayor of Chicago.

On Monday, an Illinois Appellate Court ruled 2-to-1 that Emanuel be removed from the ballot because he does not meet the city's residency requirements.

"I think that he believes that [Rahm is] eligible and I believe that he believes that Rahm will pursue his appeal in the courts," Jarrett told host George Stephanopoulos. "And as he said then, he thinks Rahm would make a terrific mayor."

On Monday evening, Emanuel's mayoral campaign issued a late-afternoon motion asking that the board of elections keep Emanuel's name on any ballot printed, and that the Supreme Court expedite the appeal of the lower court's decision--since early voting in Chicago begins next week. The Chicago Board of Elections chairman has already said the ballots will be printed without Emanuel's name on them.

As the five other mayoral candidates try recruiting Emanuel's supporters, the former White House chief of staff who was well-ahead of his opponents throughout the campaign, vowed to keep fighting Monday.

"I have no doubt that we will in the end prevail at this effort," he told reporters Monday. In speaking with Stephanopoulos Tuesday, Jarrett seemed to agree.

"Rahm is a fighter," she said. "As you know he'll be appealing to the Supreme Court and I'm sure he will vigorously make that case."

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot