Quigley Says He’s ‘Clear Frontrunner’ to Replace Rahm

Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley (D) is claiming he is the “clear frontrunner” to fill the vacancy left by White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel in Illinois’s 5th congressional district.

19 percent of voters in the north Chicago district favored Quigley in the special election primary to replace Emanuel, Quigley’s campaign claimed in a self-financed poll released Monday.

State Reps. Sara Feigenholtz and John Fritchey were the nearest challengers in the crowded primary, receiving 11 percent and eight percent, respectively. Quigley also claimed leads over both in two-way matchups tested by his campaign.

The Quigley poll also claimed the best name recognition of all the candidates, with roughly 40 percent of voters being able to identify the commissioner.

Before sending Emanuel to Congress, the 5th district was represented by now-Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D).

The poll, conducted by Anzalone-Liszt Research between January 8-13, has a margin of error of 4.4 percent.