Chicago ( CNN ) -- Rahm Emanuel , the former chief of staff to President Barack Obama , won the Chicago mayoral election over five other challengers Tuesday , topping the 50 % threshold to avoid a runoff vote , CNN projects . With almost 75 % of the vote counted , Emanuel had almost 55 % of the vote , far outdistancing his rivals . Former Chicago School Board head Gery Chico was in second place with 25 % , while City Clerk Miguel del Valle had 9 % and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun had more than 8 % . The other two candidates both had less than 2 % . Speaking to supporters Tuesday night , a buoyant Emanuel praised outgoing Mayor Richard M. Daley , saying it would be `` a tough act to follow , '' then spoke to problems facing the nation 's third-largest city , which is dealing with an unexpected $ 654 million city deficit , possible reforms to the city 's pension system and rising crime . `` What makes this victory most gratifying is that it was built on votes from every corner of this city , '' he said , touching on an overall theme of unity . `` It 's easy to find differences , but we can never allow them to become divisions . '' Saying his administration will be dependent `` on the plural pronoun , 'we , ' '' Emanuel said , `` We know that we face serious new challenges , and overcoming them will not be easy . '' Emanuel also said he had spoken earlier in the evening to Obama , who extended his congratulations . During his campaign , Emanuel proposed a series of tax cuts , as well as increasing levies for luxury services , drawing the ire of some of his opponents , and he alluded to them again Tuesday night , when he said he would work toward a balanced budget `` and a playing field that is fair . '' Tuesday 's vote was a nonpartisan election , though the city is heavily Democratic , and the top job has long been so associated with the Daley family . Richard M. Daley has been mayor since 1989 , and his father , Richard J. Daley , held the post from 1955 to his death in 1976 , making them the two longest-serving mayors in the city 's history . Emanuel , 51 , previously served three terms as a congressman , was a key aide to President Bill Clinton and worked as Obama 's chief of staff . He assembled a well-organized campaign operation , canvassing the city to deliver a series of high-profile campaign speeches as well as making 357 informal stops to meet voters -- 229 at various community locations , such as schools , grocery stories and churches and 110 at subway stations . Emanuel also hit the airwaves with a series of ads , buoyed by a large war chest , that touted his record and connections with Obama and Clinton while attacking his opponents . For much of the campaign , Emanuel fought off an accusation that he was not a legal resident of Chicago and therefore could not run . The accusation stemmed from the renting of his house when he joined Obama 's White House in 2009 . Emanuel maintained he never gave up his residency and defended himself at an election board hearing in December , which lasted almost 12 hours , even listing what possessions he had kept in the home : his wife 's wedding dress , the family china , photo albums , a bed , a piano and a stereo , and was asked specifically where they were stored : in a storage area in the basement . After a series of conflicting rulings the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously Emanuel 's name should be on the ballot . His opponents also accused Emanuel of being a Washington insider who avoided answering questions about some of his controversial moves . `` He is a pathological evader of the truth , '' Chico said Monday . For his part , Emanuel seemed to try to stay above the fray as the front-runner . `` They can say whatever they want , '' he said Monday . `` It does n't matter what anybody says or what they say about me because if we do n't turn this city around it is going to be harder for their kids . That has been my focus from day one . '' Emanuel , well-known for his colorful personality and past demonstrations of anger , stayed low-key throughout the campaign . He exploited the popularity in Chicago of the presidents he served , having Clinton come to town and stand next to him at a high-profile event last month , and running television and radio ads using some of Obama 's laudatory words during an event when Emanuel confirmed his resignation . Emanuel also used questions regarding statements from his opponents to tout some of the achievements he helped usher in while working in the White House : putting more police officers on the street , gun measures , the Wall Street reform bill and health care reform .
NEW : Rahm Emanuel pledges to tackle `` serious new challenges '' in Chicago . Former aide to President Barack Obama gets over half of vote to avoid a runoff . Former Chicago School Board head Gery Chico is in second place . Emanuel will succeed Richard M. Daley , who held the office since 1989 .