Mayoral Announcement from Emanuel Expected Soon

A source close to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said his decision on whether to quit his job to run for Chicago mayor could come as soon as Friday.

Emanuel is widely expected to leave the White House. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because no decision had been made.

Emanuel is still considering the effect that his decision would have on his family. He has long has expressed interest in running for Chicago mayor. The incumbent, Richard Daley, announced earlier this month he would not seek re-election after more than two decades in office.

Even President Barack Obama acknowledged that Emanuel would have to leave soon, should he choose to run, to set up his campaign for the mayoral race in 2011.

The president has previously said that he expected Emanuel to stay on as his right-hand man until after the Nov. 2 midterm elections, which could be challenging for Democrats.

However, speculation has been growing that Emanuel would return to Chicago, where he served as a North Side Congressman.

If he does decide to jump into the mayoral fray, Emanuel would have until Nov. 22 to gather the 12,500 voter signatures needed to get on the February ballot.

(Photo courtesy of the White House)