Report: Rahm Emanuel sought to clear field to replace Jackson Jr.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) sought to clear the field for Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s (D-Ill.) old seat so that one candidate could coalesce support to stop former Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.), according to a report from NBC Chicago.

Emanuel has stayed publicly neutral in the race. But sources tell NBC Chicago that he called some candidates and asked them to drop out.

Halvorson, who is the only major white candidate in the race and also opposes some gun control measures, has benefited so far from a split field in the heavily African-American, Democratic district. But a number of candidates have recently dropped out, most significantly Illinois state Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D), clearing the field for former Cook County Administrator Robin Kelly (D).

A source with knowledge of Emanuel's involvement tells The Hill that he has been working behind the scenes to winnow the field, and though he didn't ask Hutchinson to drop out, he called her after she made her decision.

Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale (D), one of the candidates who's remained in the race, said he's talked to Emanuel a few times since the campaign began and that he "has never, ever asked me to get out of this race."

—This post updated at 6:12 p.m.

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