President Obama is trying to save the job of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Obama is endorsing Emanuel – his former chief of staff – for re-election in an ad that begins airing today.

“The president praises Emanuel’s record, including lengthening the school day and increasing the city’s minimum wage,” Crain’s Chicago Business reports.

In the ad, the president claims the mayor “loves our city, and he believes every child in every neighborhood should have a fair shot at success,” according to the news site.

A new poll from Lake Research Partners indicates that while Emanuel leads the pack of five candidates, it is likely the Feb. 24 election will result in a run-off.

Progress Illinois reports:

The telephone survey of 600 registered and likely Chicago voters shows Emanuel with 38 percent of the vote, followed by Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia at 16 percent and Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) at 8 percent. Mayoral candidates Willie Wilson and William “Dock” Walls earned 5 percent and 1 percent of the vote, respectively. Thirty percent of survey respondents were undecided.

The Chicago Teachers Union – an ardent critic of Emanuel – was promoting the poll to boost the prospects of Garcia, its preferred candidate.

“Chicagoans remain highly frustrated with Rahm’s lack of action with regard to the violent crime plaguing communities across the city and angry about his unprecedented closure of neighborhood public schools,” the pollster’s memo claims.

“The data furthermore suggest Garcia is the candidate best positioned to force a runoff and offer Chicagoans real leadership and a fresh start.”

Lake Research Partners notes Emanuel’s likeability is a factor.

“Ominously for Rahm, the undecided voters are more likely to have a negative view of him (40% favorable, 45% unfavorable),” according to the memo.