Judge: Emanuel belongs on Chicago ballot

CHICAGO, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A Cook County judge ruled Tuesday former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel should remain on the ballot in the Feb. 22 election for mayor of Chicago.

Judge Mark J. Ballard said Burt Odelson, the attorney for the objectors to Emanuel's candidacy, did not prove the former U.S. representative abandoned his Chicago home when he joined the Obama administration and reaffirmed the election board's determination that Emanuel never intended to "terminate his residence" in the city, the Chicago Tribune reported.

"We find, therefore, there was sufficient evidence to support the board's conclusion that the candidate's residency was maintained while he was serving the president as chief of staff," Ballard wrote.

Odelson said he plans to appeal the decision Wednesday.

"We couldn't have worse luck," Odelson said. "All election lawyers go through that. You lose below and you win above, or you win below and you lose above."