Emanuel takes double-digit lead over Garcia: Tribune poll

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has taken the lead over Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the runoff race for mayor, according to a new Chicago Tribune poll.

In fact, the mayor has taken a double-digit lead over his challenger, it said.

In the poll – conducted between Friday, March 6, and Wednesday, March 11, and released today – 51 percent of likely voters responded if the election was held today, they would vote for Emanuel. That’s compared to 37 percent, who said they would vote for Garcia.

The runoff election is April 7.

The last poll, released Saturday by Ogden & Fry, had showed that first week of campaigning after the election did little to sway voters.

Emanuel’s numbers have climbed since then: That poll had put him at 43.5 percent of the vote. Meantime, Garcia’s support has remained steady at 38 percent, though he also nabbed the support this week of former opponent Willie Wilson and previous presidential candidate Howard Dean.