Congressman Rush Expected To Survive Ballot Challenge

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Congressman Bobby Rush apparently has narrowly survived an attempt to have him kicked off the ballot for the Democratic primary in March.

Ald. Howard Brookins (21st) challenged Rush's nominating petitions, arguing more than 2,300 of the 3,100 signatures were invalid.

The Illinois State Board of Elections conducted a canvass of Rush's nominating petitions on Thursday, and representatives for Brookins and Rush said the congressman apparently survived the challenge.

Rush needed approximately 1,300 valid signatures to remain on the ballot, and filed more than 3,000. While most of those were ruled invalid Thursday, Rush apparently was left with 90 more valid signatures than he needed.

A final ruling by the elections board was expected to be made within the next few weeks.