Posted by Kristen Mack, David Heinzmann, Jeff Coen and Antonio Olivo at 6:45 p.m.; last updated at 9:33 p.m. (Our Twitter feed can be found: here.)

Rahm Emanuel declared victory in the Chicago mayor's race tonight.

"Thank you Chicago for this humbling victory," a smiling Emanuel told supporters. "All I can say, you sure know how to make a guy feel at home."

"It is easy to find differences, but we can never allow them to become divisions. Tonight we are moving forward in the only way we truly can. Together. As one city, with one future."

"It's you. It's the hard-working, plain-speaking folks who share a love for their city and a determination to keep it strong," he said. "I share that love and I am determined with your help to meet our challenges head on and to make a great city even greater."

"While this election was hard-fought, it was only the beginning," he said. "We have not won anything until a kid can go to school thinking of their studies and not their safety...Or until the parents of that child is thinking about their work and not where they're going to find work, we have not won anything. The real work of building a better future begins tonight."

Emanuel said he does not want to see another child's name on a memorial for those killed by gun violence. He said it's important for parents to partner with schools.

Chicago's new mayor said the city needs to confront a budget shortfall "not by burdening Chicago families with more taxes they cannot afford, but by reinventing city government so that city government works for the taxpayers."

Emanuel said he spoke with outgoing Mayor Richard Daley tonight. Daley proved the right kind of leadership can make a city world-class while others struggle.

"Nobody has ever loved Chicago more or served it with greater passion or commitment. This city bears his imprint and he has earned a special place in our hearts and our history."

Emanuel also thanked his wife, Amy Rule, for "being our rock through all of this."

As Emanuel spoke, political consultant David Axelrod looked on. President Barack Obama called Emanuel to congratulate Emanuel, his former chief of staff, and the White House sent out a statement.

"I want to extend my congratulations to Rahm Emanuel on a well-deserved victory tonight," Obama said in a statement. "As a Chicagoan and a friend, I couldn't be prouder. Rahm will be a terrific mayor for all the people of Chicago."

Emanuel's declaration came after runner-up Gery Chico called him tonight to concede defeat.

"We've elected a mayor tonight," Chico told supporters. "I want with all of my heart for Rahm Emanuel to be successful as mayor. We need that, ladies and gentlemen."

Emanuel needed to be above the 50 percent benchmark to avoid a runoff election and six more weeks of campaigning, and he got what he needed. With 96 percent of precincts counted, Emanuel had 54.9 percent to 24.4 percent for Chico.

City Clerk Miguel del Valle had 9.4 percent and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun was at 8.7 percent.

Braun conceded defeat, saying she didn't know whether there'd be a runoff.

"I believe that hope flames eternal," she told supporters. "We will continue to try to inspire people, to get them engaged in government....I wish the victor in this race all the success in the taking of the reins of government."

Emanuel is holding his election night party at a Near West Side union hall. The Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" played in the background as early election results came in.



A small crowd cheered as returns showed Emanuel over 50 percent and leading competitors with a wide margin.



Emanuel and his family were gathered in a room above the hall's main floor. They sat on a small red couch as they watched returns come in on a flat screen television. Emanuel seemed giddy as he watched his lead grow.

At Chico's election night headquarters at a River North hotel, the crowd was subdued as results rolled in showing Emanuel with a commanding lead. The campaign sent U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a staunch supporter, to speak to reporters. Gutierrez said he was "upbeat" because early results did not show where votes had been counted. But campaign staffers acknowledged Chico was making plans to come downstairs and address supporters "pretty soon."