Much has been said about the Chicago Mayoral Race fiasco involving Rahm Emanuel’s residency. It’s very difficult for me to understand why Chicago citizens, with the exception of the candidates themselves, would want less people on the ballot.

The other candidates in the race have exploited a barely relevant technicality for their own good. Once again, Chicago politicians have put their own interests ahead of those of the people. Ideally, one runs for office to help people, to serve. In reality, they run for their own careers. Time after time, politicians disappoint. Not because they don’t accomplish what they claimed to be able to do, but because they are routinely willing to resign their ideals in order to get (re)elected. Adrian Fenty, former mayor of Washington D.C., campaigned on massive education reform. By most accounts, the reforms have started to have a dramatic impact on the quality of education in the city. Naturally, Fenty lost his bid for reelection last year. Did Fenty fail? No, quite the contrary. It is refreshing to see a politician who isn’t afraid to make massive changes, regardless of the effect on their own personal well being. Isn’t that what public office should be about? The advancement of the citizens, not the advancement of the political office.

It is in the best interest of the people, as is the case in any democracy, to have as much legitimate choice as is possible. That means it is in the best interest of the people to let Emanuel run, plain and simple.