Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot claimed she "misspoke" when she said that people who wouldn't vote for her should not show up to the polls for the mayoral race.
Lightfoot is facing a tough reelection. Polls continue to show a slight downward trend in voter support for her and a strong lead for her opponents. In one of her final campaign events ahead of the election, Lightfoot implored South Side voters to support her and said anyone voting for someone "not named Lightfoot is a vote for Chuy Garcia or Paul Vallas."
CHICAGO MAYORAL RACE: LORI LIGHTFOOT LOSING ADVANTAGE AS REELECTION NEARS
"If you want them controlling your fate and your destiny, then stay home," Lightfoot said over the weekend in Grand Crossing. "Then don’t vote."
However, after casting her vote early on Monday at Northeastern Illinois University, Lightfoot told reporters that she did not mean anyone should sit out the election.
"If I said anything other than everybody everywhere needs to vote, then I misspoke in the heat of a campaign rally," she said. "But I’ve been very consistent all along saying everybody everywhere needs to step up, and they need to vote just as I said today."
This is not Lightfoot's first campaign strategy that has led to severe scrutiny from her opponents and the public. The mayor came under fire for dancing in the streets while rallying residents to vote during the Lunar New Year and for sending volunteer opportunities to schools and universities. The emailed volunteer incident resulted in widespread backlash from educators and mayoral candidates, an ethics complaint from parents, and an investigation from the public school system's inspector general.
Several of Lightfoot's opponents criticized her statements on voting, saying she is damaging the democratic process.
"This is disqualifying rhetoric for anyone hoping to lead a Chicago that is a multiracial and multiethnic city," Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-IL) said, according to FOX 32.
Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, who is edging his way up in the polls, said residents deserve new leadership and are ready to "turn the page" and elect a new mayor.
"Lori Lightfoot telling residents not to vote unless they vote for her shows that she cares more about maintaining power for herself than empowering communities or getting things done for the people of our city," he said.
Other mayoral candidates, such as philanthropist Willie Wilson and activist Ja'Mal Green, called her comments "delusional, divisive, dangerous, and disappointing" and said it was a key indicator of her "desperation."
"I just showed this to a bus load of new voters & the video made them more motivated than ever to vote against Lightfoot today," Green tweeted.
I just showed this to a bus load of new voters & the video made them more motivated than ever to vote against Lightfoot today. The city is ready for real leadership, a true outsider ready to bring the people inside city hall. Lori’s desperation is showing as her campaign crumbles https://t.co/ez5fzkAVuP
— Ja'Mal Green (@JaymalGreen) February 19, 2023
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Lightfoot's chances of successful reelection are continuing to dwindle. Polling numbers show Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, in the lead with 22%. He's followed by Lightfoot with 17.1%. While Lightfoot's numbers have slightly increased since the polls were conducted in early February, other candidates are steadily closing the gap.
The election will be held on Feb. 28, and a runoff is planned for April 4 if neither candidate receives 50% of the vote.