By SARA BURNETT January 22, 2023 GMT. People are betting against us every single day. Another 10 candidates, including Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara and CTU President Jesse Sharkey are considering running as well, sources told Ahern. Lightfoot the rookie politician won in 2019 in part because of her credentials as an outsider, but Lightfoot the incumbent does not have that advantage. All rights reserved. CHICAGO (AP) Lori Lightfoot made history as the first Black woman and first openly gay person to serve as Chicago mayor, sailing to victory four years ago as an outsider who vowed to rid City Hall of corruption and deliver a safer, more equitable city. Veteran political consultant Delmarie Cobb says in a city that's a third Black, a third white and a third Latino, it's a factor that can't be ignored. He will be propelled by that. Another big name is poised to join the race Thursday, and Wednesday,. WATCH: Lightfoot speaks exclusively with ABC7 during reelection campaign kickoff. So what are the missteps that led to Lightfoots landslide re-election loss? But they are still higher than when she took office, and concerns have grown about other violent crime in the city, including carjackings. Lightfoot initially made the comment in a New. Chicago mayoral candidate and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson greets Mayor Lori Lightfoot at Mannys Deli in the West Loop on Election Day. She also won in a landslide victory in all 50 wards against her opponent Cook County Commissioner Toni Preckwinkle. She's running for re-election next week against eight challengers. Garcia touts his record of working with communities across the city and playing well with others in a way that he says Lightfoot does not. She lost in the general election on February 28, 2023. Heres Brandon, a beaming Johnson said as his supporters chanted, We want Brandon., Well Chicago, we did it yall. Paul Vallas is someone who is supported by the Jan. 6th insurrectionists. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first term in office saw a spike in crime, disputes with labor unions, and the pandemic. The mayor faced hot water again with the teachers union in early 2021 over her plans to reopen schools as the COVID-19 pandemic began to wane. The posh strip has suffered from a string of looting incidents and a vacancy rate that has reached 30% up from 5% vacancy in 2017, according to Crains. Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor who had never before run for political office, emerged from a crowded field in 2019 to defeat far better known candidates with support from voters weary of political corruption and coverups. Now, the top two candidates head to a runoff election. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Vallas has run an uncharacteristically disciplined campaign singularly focused on this law-and-order message. And she now faces a tough reelection battle. "I am announcing today that, at . Dear Abby: Is it cheating if nothing physical ever happened? In one ad, Vallas criticized Lightfoot for combative leadership. In Garcias first commercial, he vowed enough is enough, when it comes to rising crime. "When you come on November 28, and you see the wheelbarrow or the hand truck that we pull in with all of our petitions, I think that will answer that question," Lightfoot said. 9. Currently, six other candidates have announced their 2023 run for mayor: Illinois Rep. Kam Buckner, police officer Frederick Collins, Ald. Garcia, by far, had the most support in the Hispanic community, with 56% of Latino voters saying theyd support him. Ald. The Sun-Times Patrick Finley answers the biggest questions facing the Bears after the draft: On this International Workers Day, were committed to fighting for a better future for all workers in our city and state, two labor leaders write. "I think people go up early when there's trouble in the water. Her current term ends on May 15, 2023. Some 250 supporters of Lightfoot attended a private campaign fundraiser in River North. "I can't concern myself about who else gets in the race. Melvina McElroy, a 57-year-old Englewood resident, had high hopes for Lightfoot when she voted for her in the 2019 mayoral election, and even helped give people rides to the polls. Lori Lightfoot is living in an alternate reality if she thinks her track record will stand up in a bid for another term as mayor," said RNC Spokesperson Preya Samsundar. And she now faces a tough reelection battle. And we've already seen that the wealthy Republican establishment is pouring money into his campaign right and left. As for her future plans, Lightfoot said she's not going to disclose that until after she leaves office on May 15. Dr. Willie Wilson. MARIAH WOELFEL, BYLINE: Lightfoot won by a landslide in 2019 by running as a reformer who would put an end to political corruption and unite the city. Then she went over to Brown Sugar Bakery on the South Side and Catedral Caf in Little Village. She said shed take either over Lightfoot. The Sun-Times Patrick Finley answers the biggest questions facing the Bears after the draft: On this International Workers Day, were committed to fighting for a better future for all workers in our city and state, two labor leaders write. They wore buttons and put up posters saying "I'm riding with Lori." CHICAGO -- Lori Lightfoot made history as the first Black woman and first openly gay person to serve as Chicago mayor, sailing to victory four . Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot kicks off campaign for 2nd term as list of candidates continues to grow "It's a Chicago tradition to show up early, to have your campaign signs out to celebrate with . Having lost the support she once held along Chicagos lakeshore neighborhoods and with major labor unions working against her, she was among seven Black candidates competing for votes among the citys Black population. Hell get more attention because hell have started off as kind of an unknown, and hell have scaled the heights to get into the finals, and hell be treated, initially, as the story, Axelrod said. She assumed office on May 20, 2019. "So, for me, the biggest challenge wasn't some particular person's name on the ballot. SEE ALSO | NYC mayor says Lori Lightfoot's reelection loss in Chicago is 'warning sign for the country', At least 27 shot, 5 fatally, in Chicago weekend shootings: police, Toddler dies after being shot inside Chicago home last week: officials, Teen boy shot to death on South Side ID'd: officials. Feb. 28, 2023, 6:50 PM PST By Natasha Korecki CHICAGO Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for re-election Tuesday, ending her historic run as the city's first Black woman and first. Her final stop was at The Revolution Workshop, a job training center in Garfield Park. It's a bitter end to a tumultuous tenure for Lightfoot, who quickly developed an image as a national lightning rod for conservatives and repeatedly clashed with institutional interests, from the Chicago Teachers Union to the media to the police rank and file. David Brown and stubbornly refused demands from all eight challengers to get rid of him failed to make the runoff. He also got the backing of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police. He's repeatedly called for more police officers, saying, Crime is out of control.. The mayor points to a record of achievements that include pushing through a $15 minimum wage that labor unions had sought for years and approval of a long-sought casino thats expected to bring millions in revenue and thousands of jobs. Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes the election at the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council in River North Tuesday night. Three-to-four thousand more votes across Black Chicago. Weve made progress year-over-year, Lightfoot said. I think Chuy can bring the groups together, which I think is important because theres so many different splintering groups now in the City Council, Harano said. Wilsons favorable-unfavorable ratings were 29% and 26% and Johnsons 26% and 11%. When we got knocked down by COVID, we came together as a city and we got right back up because that's who we are and that's how we've been able to make so much progress despite all that's been thrown at us," she said. The other candidates lack plans, Allen said, while she appreciates that Lightfoot is focused on crime prevention and directing dollars to help returning citizens who were incarcerated like Allen once was. CHICAGO As Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot gears up for her expected reelection campaign after three tumultuous years, she finds herself in a familiar position: on the defensive. But I stand here with my head held high and my heart full of thanks, Lightfoot told supporters shortly before 9 p.m. You will not be defined by how you fall. But with six other Black candidates in the race, Lightfoots narrow path to victory was ultimately sealed off. Lightfootended up taking Catanzara to court, where she successfully argued that his call for officers to ignore the vaccine mandate was illegal. "I don't see myself running again for any office," Lightfoot said. Lightfoot has increased her support in some areas of the city. Earlier this week, she riled many in the criminal justice system with a comment. Virginia Beach struck by tornado, dozens of homes damaged, At least 27 shot, 5 fatally, in Chicago weekend shootings: police, Toddler dies after being shot inside Chicago home last week: officials. Harano, 80, said he considered voting for Vallas, but believes Garcia brings so much more experience than Paul.. The judge granted the citys request for a temporary injunction that barred Catanzara from making any public comments encouraging union members to disobey the vax mandate. Thats 12 people who could be paying taxes to help the city. Mayor Lori Lightfoot publicly criticized Foxx for her decision not to charge five men who police linked to a deadly shootout in the Austin neighborhood back in 2021. If no candidate wins a majority on Feb. 28, the two candidates who win the most votes square off in an April 4 runoff. I havent been this happy since my son returned from Afghanistan, Vallas told a crowd of supporters chanting his name. Tuesday voters rejected reelection bid. She has also touted record spending on public safety, including the police department and anti-violence programs. Everyone feels traumatized.. Shes installed deadbolts on her door in the last few years. What I need to do, is do my job," Lightfoot said. Forty years ago, Jane Byrne, the first woman to serve as mayor of Chicago, was turned into a one-termer by a defeat that paved the way for another first: the election of Chicagos first Black mayor, Washington. We're not going to allow people, including this administration, to provoke fear and anxiety. Vallas was widely expected to emerge from the first round of voting, having built his campaign around a tough-on-crime theme and garnering supportin the vote-rich northern and northwestern sides of the city. Three years ago, Lightfootmade historywhen she became Chicago's first Black, female and openly gay mayor. McElroy said over the years a dozen of her relatives have left the city for other states. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? The pollster, based in Jacksonville, Florida, accurately predicted the outcome of 86% of races it called, FiveThirtyEight reported. Lori Lightfoot is the Mayor of Chicago in Illinois. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. In the first three weeks of 2023, crime rates skyrocketed by 61% compared to the previous year. Foxx defended her decision . Cook County State's Attorney Foxx Won't Seek Re-Election - Chicago, IL - Kim Foxx, who fought Mayor Lori Lightfoot, police over her handling of high-profile cases, said "it's time" in saying she . CHICAGO (WLS) -- It has been two months since the voters sealed the fate of Lori Lightfoot as a one-term mayor. 18%. Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is jockeying for a second term in Tuesday's nine-way mayoral election, after a tough four years in office and amid polling that shows her trailing two. With nearly 99% of the precincts reporting, the mayor who guided Chicago through the pandemic finished third in Tuesdays election with 17.06% of the vote behind former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, who won 33.77 %, and Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union organizer Brandon Johnson, who wound up with 20.29%. The results show Vallas has a clear lead, with 27% of the 806 likely voters saying they would cast their ballots for him, followed by 20% for Johnson, 19% for Lightfoot and 16% for U.S. Rep. Jess Chuy Garca (D)the polls margin of error is 3.45%. The congressman had the support of 24% of the men surveyed, compared to 19% for Vallas, 14% for Lightfoot, 12% for Johnson and 11% for Wilson. One of Lightfoot's rivals suggested other factors might be at work. If they have that many people to spare, thats incredible. Re-Election is on the way, and it is arriving very quickly. The CTU endorsed Johnson after deciding not to wait for Garcias decision to enter the race. 48. I will also have zero tolerance when it comes to violating the law or violating the Constitution. Ald. Lightfoot made history when she became the first black woman and first openly gay person to be elected Chicago mayor back in 2019. It was a tough loss for Lightfoot, who had confidently predicted during the campaign that she would win a second term. Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas (left); Mayor Lori Lightfoot (center); U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia (right). Those are among the key findings of a Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ/Telemundo Chicago/NBC5 Poll conducted last week. A few months ago, they said they didnt know who I was. She was at times lauded for her handling of the pandemic but saw violent riots in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis. For white voters, 38% of those polled said theyd vote for Vallas, followed by 16% for Lightfoot, 14% for Johnson and 10% for Garcia. A former top prosecutor defended the mayor's underlying message and believes she let her emotions get the best of her. Asked their opinions of some of the leading candidates, voters gave the highest marks to Garcia and Vallas and dismal ones to Lightfoot. I need you to fight with me every single day," Lightfoot said. What about my sons and my daughters that have never committed a crime, that have a future ahead of them?. She's running for re-election next week against eight challengers. After Hurricane Katrina, Paul went to New Orleans and privatized three quarters of the citys public schools, which caused the largest decline of Black educators. The heart of labor is beating strong in Chicago and Illinois, Why were launching The Democracy Solutions Project, Opioid crisis cant be tackled without better pain management training for doctors. That gap widened when voters were asked to choose between Lightfoot and Garcia, with the Southwest Side congressman earning 54% of the vote compared to 30% for the mayor. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her re-election bid on June 7, with a video saying that Chicago needs her brand of hardball government. DELMARIE COBB: The racial part of this is that whites will galvanize around Paul Vallas. And despite being the sitting mayor, she routinely failed to leadin recent polling, falling behind Vallas and Democratic Rep. Jess "Chuy" Garcia. On the issue of crime, under Lightfoot, Chicago in 2021 recorded the most killings in a quarter-century, 797, and more than 3,500 shootings which was 1,400 more than were recorded in 2019, when Lightfoot first took office. Lightfoot also went head to head with the citys police union repeatedly during her tenure, most recently over her COVID-19 vaccine mandate for municipal workers. "I will miss the ability to have immediate impact on people's lives. Vallas waited until Lightfoots concession call and speech before claiming his place in the runoff. "But I thought the mood was great kicking it off, and I think it's a good thing.". Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot celebrates at her election night rally at the Hilton Chicago after defeating Toni Preckwinkle in the Chicago mayoral election on April 2, 2019. Crime spiked during her term, though she has repeatedly touted that it dropped year-over-year in 2022. You know, again, I don't spend a lot of time looking in the rearview mirror," Lightfoot said. The 9-person stage drama in Chicago that wont end on Election Day (Politico), Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Faces Tough Re-Election Bid (The Wall Street Journal), As Lightfoot Tries for Second Term, Jabs Go From Friendly to Harsh (The New York Times), Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks to supporters, at a campaign rally on February 25, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. She says she's faced unprecedented challenges and joked she'd give this note of caution to her 2019 self. But with six challengers already in the race, the ACLU said the mayor was doing some political posturing in an election year. "I will be stepping down as state's attorney . Mayor Lightfoot was also asked if she has learned from any mistakes during the past three and a half years, to which she said, "Yes," adding that she has not always done things perfectly but said she's always tried to collaborate. Voters were even more sour on Lightfoots performance as mayor, with 61% of those polled saying they disapproved. Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is jockeying for a second term in Tuesdays nine-way mayoral election, after a tough four years in office and amid polling that shows her trailing two candidates in a race that is likely headed for a runoff. READ MORE | Meeting of the mayors: Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Brandon Johnson begin transition of power. Some in the city saw it as elitist, a way of protecting upscale parts of the highly segregated city at the expense of neighborhoods with struggling business districts that also suffered serious damage. The homicide rate dropped 14% last year, but the total of 695 killings was still nearly 40% higher than it was in 2019 when Lightfoot took office. Lightfoot: She won 73% of the vote in the 2019 runoff election and is running for reelection. Lightfoot is eager to take on a second term while taking on her critics. "The fact is because of you, Chicago is coming back. The union approved an agreement in February 2021 to reopen the citys public schools to in-person learning after Lightfoot threatened to lock some educators out of remote learning software if they didnt return. John Catanzara: The FOP President has a chilly relationship with Lightfoot and announced his candidacy after being forced to retire as a police officer. Lightfoot made the comments while speaking on a panel at the African American Mayors Association Conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy received an A- grade among pollsters analyzed by FiveThirtyEight. Lightfoot was elected to office in 2019 and pledged that with the chance at another term as mayor, she will work to make the city "safer, fairer and more equitable for all.". A local county commissioner, Brandon Johnson, is chief among them. Lori Lightfoot concedes mayors race in Chicago, violence had eased by the end of last year. He will get a lot of attention, and hes a good performer. I need you to be on that ride with me. Its tribalism at its worst and at its best.. "It's a false narrative, as far as I'm concerned," Lightfoot said. Its not a story that Vallas made the runoff. Despite wishful thinking by some Lightfoot critics that she would bow out of the. Mayor Lori Lightfoots reelection battle is clouded in uncertainty, her chances of beating either U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia or former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas in a runoff appearing slim and her prospects for even making it to the April election up in the air. Vallas wears his opposition from the teachers union like a badge of honor. Her campaign blasted him for being too cozy with the police union, calling its leader a notorious bigot and supporter of former President Donald Trump. The mayor was viewed favorably by 22% of likely Chicago voters and unfavorably by 54%. Ideologically, the choice between Vallas and Johnson is stark. Lightfoot brushed off the notion that her reputation of having a combative leadership style turned voters off, and that if she had tried to come across as more likable, the election outcome may have been different. But Lightfoot put her best foot forward, telling an Executives' Club audience last week that she will leave the city with just an $85 million deficit for 2023. Mayor Lori Lightfoot finished third in Tuesday's election with 16.89% of the vote, behind former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas at 33.95% and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson . "Instead of a public safety plan, she's raised bridges, put up barricades and demanded curfews," added State Representative Kam Buckner. A 25-second . Lightfoot apologized, calling it a mistake. She has pointed to her signature Invest South/West plan as proof that no mayor not even Washington has done more for the African-American community. She is combative, unnecessarily. Im unapologetic about it because it spurred a very important conversation, a conversation that needed to happen, that should have happened a long time ago, Lightfoot said at the time. "It's really sad to see someone who, you know, as well trained as a lawyer and a former prosecutor, elevate politics over constitutional rights in the way that the mayor did," said ACLU of Illinois Communications Director Ed Yohnka. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot launched a pair of ads, touting successes during her first term, with the primary just three and a half months away. But, his oft-repeated promise to hunt criminals down like rabbits apparently gave voters second thoughts even after Wilson held a string of gas and grocery giveaways. Garca, who lost a runoff election to Emmanuel in 2015, has spotlighted his Latino heritage and extensive career in politics, starting with his election to the Chicago City Council in 1986. The Republican National Committee released a statement in response to Lightfoot's announcement. Lori Lightfoot faces the toughest re-election battle of any Chicago mayor in the last 40 years, U.S. Rep. Jesus Garcia said Wednesday, even as he all but ruled himself out as a potential challenger. Too many people have suffered under Lightfoots hands. Dipping toes: A triumphant Johnson claimed his spot in the runoff a few minutes later with an updated version of what former Mayor Harold Washington said on the day he became Chicagos first Black mayor in 1983. Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson celebrates with supporters on Tuesday night. Lightfoot has run TV ads accusing Garcia of corruption, noting his House campaign took money from Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange FTX accused of massive financial fraud. But Lightfoot was quickly slammed over her hypocrisy after she posted footage of herself celebrating with fellow Democrats after Biden defeated Donald Trump. Lightfoot is the first incumbent elected Chicago mayor to lose re-election since 1983, when Jane Byrne, the city's first female mayor, lost her primary. We will have a safe Chicago. Pollster Brad Coker said Lightfoots bleak unfavorable rating coupled with nearly three-quarters of voters thinking the city is on the wrong track are tough stumbling blocks to overcome in three weeks or in April. Weve got to get Chicago right. Four years ago Mayor Lori Lightfoot swept every corner of the city and won all 50 wards. April 25, 2023 / 1:17 PM / CBS Chicago. She is over the top," Garcia said. "As Democrats, if we do not speak the truth about violent crim Lightfoot, a Democrat, failed to get enough votes in the nine-person race to move on to an April 4 runoff election, according to projections by The Associated Press. That and the 1,000-strong army of CTU and SEIU members who helped turn out the vote for Johnson managed to propel a relative political unknown into the finals of the mayoral sweepstakes. Those dont paint a pretty picture for an incumbent, Coker said. I'm a person who believes in taking issues on head-on. Starting next Monday, candidates can begin turning in their petitions, where 12,500 valid signatures are required, so candidates typically gather triple that. Lightfoot ran for re-election for Mayor of Chicago in Illinois. Lightfootfound herself embroiled in a fight with the powerful Chicago Teachers Union at the beginning of her term in 2019. Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. Former Rep. Bobby Rush, a major critic during her first campaign turned prominent booster this year, joined Reps. Danny Davis and Robin Kelly whose districts include predominantly Black neighborhoods in praising her commitment to investing in the areas. Johnson is also a big personality and a talented communicator who could ride a wave of national media attention into the runoff just as Lightfoot did in 2019, Axelrod said. Lori Lightfoot ran a longshot race in 2019. WOELFEL: If reelected, Lightfoot would be the first woman mayor in Chicago history to get a second term. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot kicked off her re-election campaign with a whirlwind tour around Chicago Wednesday. Another alderman in the race also dismissed concerns about the crowded field. The mayor implored them to join her in the fight for a second term. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. At final rally, Mayor Lori Lightfoot revs up crucial backers: Black women. Lightfoot winded down her term in office, and in her only local TV interview. Racial politics have also been on full display in this election. This time, he spent more than $6 million of his personal fortune. The biggest challenge was breaking through what I call that 'anger bubble.'". The finances of this city belong to the people of the city. Lightfoot conceded defeat Tuesday night at her party in downtown Chicago, saying, "Obviously we didn't win the election today, but I stand here with my head held high.". Its not like they won contests for Mr. Congeniality, she told the Times. Ousted Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, said that other liberal mayors have to be honest about violent crime that is terrifying residents.