Former senator wins support of two ex-rivals in Chicago’s mayoral primary

Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.) is emerging as the alternative to former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel in the Chicago mayor’s race, at least among two of their ex-rivals. 

Braun now has the backing of Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and state Sen. James Meeks (D), both of whom recently dropped their bids for the post. Mosely Braun now is the only African-American running, and black leaders in Chicago have urged voters to get behind her candidacy in the Feb. 22 primary.

{mosads}On Sunday, Mosely Braun spoke at a Chicago church alongside both Davis and Meeks. 

Davis, who announced on New Year’s Eve he was leaving the contest, said Braun is in the best position resource-wise to give Emanuel a real challenge. 

While questions over Emanuel’s residency are resolved, Braun signaled Sunday she will still make it an issue in the race, telling reporters, “I don’t think Rahm Emanuel lives in Chicago. But there’s no question that I live here.”

As Braun’s campaign moves forward, the AP points out she’ll face some lingering questions over her Senate loss in 1998 and years-old allegations over campaign funds.