Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Rahm Emanuel
Discover the career path of Rahm Emanuel, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Rahm Israel Emanuel is an American politician and diplomat. He served as the United States Ambassador to Japan from 2022 to 2025. As a member of the Democratic Party, he represented Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009. A key figure in Barack Obama's administration, Emanuel was the White House Chief of Staff from 2009 to 2010. He also served two terms as the mayor of Chicago, from 2011 to 2019.
2002: Supported Bush's Iraq Position
During his 2002 campaign, Emanuel voiced support for President Bush's position on Iraq, suggesting the President needed to articulate his stance better to the American people.
April 2006: Declared Support for Hillary Clinton
In April 2006, Emanuel declared his support for Hillary Clinton's potential 2008 presidential run.
2006: Advocated Universal Service Program
In 2006, Rahm Emanuel advocated for a three-month compulsory universal service program for Americans between 18 and 25 in his book, "The Plan: Big Ideas for America".
2006: Organized Run by Tammy Duckworth
In 2006, as head of the Democratic congressional campaign committee, Emanuel helped organize a run by Tammy Duckworth against Christine Cegelis in Illinois' 6th district.
January 2007: Remained Neutral on Democratic Nomination
In January 2007, when asked about his stance on the Democratic presidential nomination, Emanuel humorously stated he was "hiding under the desk" due to the conflict between his loyalty to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
June 2007: Condemned Palestinian Violence
In June 2007, Emanuel condemned Palestinian violence in the Gaza Strip and criticized Arab countries for not pressuring Palestinians as much as Israel.
June 4, 2008: Endorsed Barack Obama
On June 4, 2008, Emanuel endorsed Barack Obama for president after the final primary contests.
November 6, 2008: Accepted White House Chief of Staff Position
On November 6, 2008, Emanuel accepted the position of White House Chief of Staff for US President Barack Obama.
January 2, 2009: Resigned Congressional Seat
On January 2, 2009, Emanuel officially resigned from his congressional seat to serve as White House Chief of Staff.
March 3, 2009: Special Primary Election Held
On March 3, 2009, a special primary election was held to fill Emanuel's vacated congressional seat.
2009: Characterized as Influential Chief of Staff
In a 2009 article in The New York Times, Emanuel was characterized as "perhaps the most influential chief of staff of a generation".
September 2010: Criticism and potential departure
By September 2010, Emanuel was facing criticism and ideological clashes, leading to speculation about his departure as chief of staff.
September 30, 2010: Announced Departure
On September 30, 2010, Emanuel announced he would leave his position as White House Chief of Staff to run for Mayor of Chicago.
October 2, 2010: Pete Rouse Replaced Emanuel
On October 2, 2010, Pete Rouse replaced Emanuel as White House Chief of Staff.
December 31, 2010: Raised Campaign Funds
By December 31, 2010, Rahm Emanuel had raised more than $10.5 million in campaign funds for his mayoral run.
January 1, 2011: Illinois Campaign Disclosure Act Took Effect
On January 1, 2011, the Illinois Campaign Disclosure Act took effect, limiting individual personal contributions to candidates to $5,000.
January 24, 2011: Court of Appeals Reversed Eligibility
On January 24, 2011, the Court of Appeals reversed the Circuit Court, holding that residency for candidacy differs from residency for voting, challenging Emanuel's eligibility for office.
February 22, 2011: Elected Mayor of Chicago
On February 22, 2011, Emanuel was elected as the 55th Mayor of Chicago with 55% of the vote.
May 16, 2011: Inaugurated as Mayor of Chicago
On May 16, 2011, Emanuel was sworn in as the 55th Mayor of Chicago at the Pritzker Pavilion.
August 16, 2011: "Healthy Chicago" Unveiled
On August 16, 2011, Emanuel unveiled "Healthy Chicago", the city's first public health blueprint, with Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Bechara Choucair.
November 2012: City council voted on first budget
In November 2012, the city council voted unanimously to adopt the mayor's first budget, which decreased the budget by $34 million and increased spending by $46.2 million.
2012: Chicago Becomes a Sanctuary City
In 2012, Chicago became a "de jure" sanctuary city when Rahm Emanuel and the City Council passed the Welcoming City Ordinance.
2012: Lollapalooza Pays Taxes, Extends Contract
In 2012, Lollapalooza paid taxes for the first time in seven years and extended its contract to host the festival in Grant Park through 2021.
2012: Supreme Court upheld ObamaCare
In 2012, after the Supreme Court upheld "ObamaCare", Emanuel stated, "Thank God for the country, he didn't listen to me".
2013: Appointed Aldermen
In 2013, Emanuel appointed Natashia Holmes as 7th Ward alderman and Deb Mell as 33rd Ward alderman.
April 7, 2015: Won Run-off Election
On April 7, 2015, Emanuel won the run-off election against Jesús "Chuy" García with 56% of the vote, despite criticism of school closures and gun violence.
2016: Appointed Sophia King as 4th ward alderman
In 2016, Rahm Emanuel appointed Sophia King as the 4th ward alderman for Chicago City Council.
October 2017: Announced Reelection Campaign
In October 2017, Emanuel announced his intention to run for reelection in 2019, despite facing low approval ratings.
September 2018: Emanuel Decided Not to Run
In September 2018, Emanuel decided not to run for reelection, citing a need to "write the next chapter" after conferring with his family.
2018: Appointed Silvana Tabares
In 2018, Emanuel appointed Silvana Tabares as 23rd Ward alderman.
March 2019: Did Not Appoint Interim Alderman
In March 2019, following Willie Cochran's resignation, Emanuel chose not to appoint an interim alderman, leaving the 20th ward seat vacant.
May 2019: Named Executive Chair of National BAM Advisory Council
In May 2019, Rahm Emanuel was named founding executive chair of the National BAM Advisory Council of the Becoming A Man youth program.
June 2019: Joins Centerview Partners
In June 2019, Rahm Emanuel joined Centerview Partners as a senior counselor.
July 2019: Serves as Political Analyst for ABC News
Since July 2019, Rahm Emanuel has also served as a political analyst for ABC News.
2019: Planned Mayoral Reelection
Rahm Emanuel had planned to run for reelection as mayor in 2019, before withdrawing.
April 2021: Nominated as Ambassador to Japan
In April 2021 it was reported that Biden had chosen Rahm Emanuel as ambassador to Japan.
August 2021: Formally Nominated as Ambassador
In August 2021, Rahm Emanuel was formally nominated to serve as ambassador.
October 20, 2021: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Holds Hearings
On October 20, 2021, hearings were held on Rahm Emanuel's nomination in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
November 3, 2021: Nomination Favorably Reported to Senate Floor
On November 3, 2021, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee favorably reported Rahm Emanuel's nomination to the Senate floor.
December 18, 2021: Confirmed as Ambassador to Japan
On December 18, 2021, the United States Senate confirmed Rahm Emanuel's nomination as Ambassador to Japan.
2021: Lollapalooza Contract Extended
In 2012, Lollapalooza paid taxes for the first time in seven years and extended its contract to host the festival in Grant Park through 2021.
March 25, 2022: Presents Credentials to Japanese Emperor
On March 25, 2022, Rahm Emanuel presented his credentials to Japanese Emperor Naruhito.
