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Lightfoot Loses Re-election Bid

Lightfoot
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot | Image by Lori Lightfoot campaign video

(The Center Square) – Lori Lightfoot’s tenure as Chicago mayor will end after her first term.

Lightfoot – widely criticized as rising violent crime plagued the city during her four years in office, for her strict COVID-19 restrictions, and as students in Chicago Public Schools struggled to perform at grade level – conceded in her race for re-election in Tuesday’s primary.

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union operative Brandon Johnson will head to a runoff election to determine Lightfoot’s successor.

Vallas held a healthy lead with more than 95% of precincts reporting, receiving about 35% of the total votes counted.

Since no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the election will go to a runoff on April 4.

“I have called Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas to congratulate them on their victories and advancing to the runoffs,” Lightfoot said late Tuesday. “Obviously, we did not win the election, but I stand here with my head held high and a heart full of gratitude.”

During his campaign, Vallas focused on high violent crime rates in the city and reforming policing. Chicago has been the murder capital of the U.S. for nine consecutive years.

Vallas thanked his supporters Tuesday night and said his work could only be done with their help.

“I have had success because I have always had the good sense to listen to the community to empower the community and draw my leadership from the community,” Vallas said.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the Vallas campaign raised just over $6 million in funding for his campaign, which will now continue through April.

“Thank you, Chicago,” Vallas said. “Our campaign isn’t over yet, and we will be spending the next five weeks talking to the people of our city about the need to elect a leader who is transparent, accountable, collaborative, and who puts public safety at the top of our priorities.”

Johnson, who surged in polling in recent weeks, finished in second place, earning a runoff against Vallas. He raised nearly $4 million for his campaign.

“I am so freaking proud because we did this. A few months ago, they said they didn’t know who I was. Well, if you didn’t know, now you know.” Johnson told supporters. “Tonight is about building a Chicago that truly invests in our people.”

Johnson is a staunch supporter of public employee unions, particularly the CTU, drawing criticism from those who argue public sector unions have too much power in Illinois.

“Brandon Johnson’s platform on the issues Chicagoans care about stands in stark contrast to what new polling shows Chicagoans want,” Illinois Policy Institute spokesman Austin Berg said in a statement released late Tuesday. “Sixty-two percent of Chicagoans support school choice. Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union want to crush school choice.”

Six other candidates also were eliminated from contention Tuesday night, including Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.

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7 Comments

  1. Djea3

    It is very interesting and telling that this article does not place the “R” or the “D” after the candidate names. They do make it clear that nothing has changed in Chicago in the last 120 years. First the mob ran it and the mob became the Unions. It is clear that they still run the city.
    Hopefully we will now see the unlawful acts of this mayor exposed and handled in civil litigations. Doubtful, but we can hope.

    Reply
    • Janet

      Why does it matter whether there is an “R” or “D” by there names? If they represent the people of Chicago, and they voted for them, they get what they voted for. I wonder if the one with an “R” wins if migrants will still be bused to this “sanctuary city”?

      Reply
  2. Lay Monk Jeffery

    Lightfoot should be incarcerated! The people of Chicago Illinois deserve better, much better. I truly hope that the person that replaced Lightfoot serves the people because she didn’t. A kid in junior high would have done a much better job. Maybe the the next will do Chicago some justice and clean the windy city up.

    Reply
    • MICHAEL P HAMMER

      I thought you wrote “incinerated”, which isn’t a bad idea either.

      Reply
    • Anna W.

      You have read about our crime in DFW and Texas. Our crime rate is higher than Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and California , “incinerating” someone. How low this country has become, pitiful.

      Chief Brown has resigned from Chicago because they were starting to low their crime rate. He is coming back to Texas and working for a Law Firm. I worked in Chicago for 8 years, you know where to go, just like any city in Texas. Louisiana is the border, that’s where the criminals are coming from. The people on the Texas border, just want to work and Louisiana, just want to run the criminals into Texas.

      Reply
  3. Monte Mcdearmon

    Good GOD the voters wake up bye bye

    Reply
  4. Anna

    Lightfoot is one scary person! That God she was defeated! In my opinion she needs to be in jail. If she ever needs the police I hope they don’t respond to her, let her call a thug to help her!  Chicago has been the murder capital of the U.S. for nine consecutive years! Every liberal is soft on crime that’s the number one reason crime is so high!!

    Reply

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