Rahm Emanuel wins Chicago mayoral run-off

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has defeated a union-backed challenger who had forced him into a surprise run-off election for the top job in the US's third-largest city.

The former congressman and chief of staff to President Barack Obama snared 56 per cent of the vote in a low turnout. He was leading Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, a Cook County commissioner backed by the city's teachers' union, with 72 per cent of precincts reporting.

Mr Emanuel was forced into the run-off after he failed to achieve 50 per cent in the election on February 27, when Mr Garcia, who has raised a fraction of the mayor's fundraising, won 34 per cent of the vote.

Mr Emanuel has been criticised for his links with the city's business elite and a reputation for focusing on the wealthy downtown and north side over the poorer and west side. Mr Garcia had struck upon "a tale of two cities" as his campaign theme, hammering Mr Emanuel whose donor list included Ken Griffin, the billionaire hedge fund manager, and most of Chicago's richest families and executives.

But Mr Emanuel used a $20m campaign warchest to promote himself as the most qualified candidate to handle Chicago's fiscal crisis, which includes a $20bn unfunded pension liability and a $300m operating budget deficit. He touted his achievements, including bringing new business and development to the city, while cutting deals with unions that will help alleviate the financial pressure.

Mr Emanuel had alienated many black residents - who comprise a third of Chicago's population - after he closed nearly 50 under-enrolled schools, mostly in black neighbourhoods. He also presided over a spike in the city's murder rate early in his tenure, and while crime has since dropped, shootings and murders remain major problems in black communities on the south and west sides.

The famously profane mayor spent the closing days of the campaign trying to soften his rough edges, appearing in campaign ads where he admitted that he could be more diplomatic. Even prominent supporters said that his abrasive style had turned off some voters.

Mr Emanuel will now turn his attention to the city's financial crisis, and to securing the Obama presidential library for the city. Mr Obama, who got his political start in Chicago and calls the city home, delayed his decision on where to locate the library.

Chicago is facing off against New York and Hawaii for the library. A decision is expected in the coming weeks.

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