Voters will decide the direction of Chicago for the next four years in a runoff election between two Democrats, one more progressive-leaning and one leaning toward a more conservative agenda, each with different methods to address the city's problems with rising crime and declining education.
Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson are advancing to the runoff election in the Chicago mayoral race, ousting Lori Lightfoot from her position after a controversial four-year term.
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Johnson, a Cook County commissioner, and Vallas, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, will face each other on April 4 for the runoff after none of the nine candidates received over 50% of the vote.
Lightfoot is the first incumbent to lose since 1989, ending a term fraught with criticism and obstacles over rising crime rates, response to the coronavirus pandemic, and tension between educators and the city.
"Regardless of tonight's outcome, we fought the right fights, and we put this city on a better path, no doubt about it," Lightfoot said during her concession. "As we all know, in life, in the end, you don't always win every battle. But you never regret taking on the powerful and bringing in the light."
Lightfoot's loss represents the larger turmoil in major U.S. cities still grappling with the effects of the pandemic, which led to sharp spikes in crime and large dips in the economy that continue.
In April, Chicago voters will choose between two candidates to lead them for the next four years, as each represents a different set of values and problems that they plan to target.
Paul Vallas
Vallas, who is backed by the police union Fraternal Order of Police, said in his victory speech that, if elected, he would make it his priority to address public safety matters.
"We will have a safe Chicago," Vallas said. "We will make Chicago the safest city in America."
During Lightfoot's administration, Vallas served as an adviser to the police union, advocating adding hundreds of officers to patrol Chicago's streets and bring down crime.
He frequently pointed to the rising crime rate during his campaign, saying crime was out of control and that morale hit a new low under Lightfoot's tenure. If elected, he said officers who left out of frustration for Lightfoot would return to the police force.
Vallas has been criticized by his opponents for being too conservative to lead a Democratic agenda and receiving support from the police union's leader, who defended Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists at the U.S. Capitol and compared Lightfoot's vaccine mandate for city workers to the Holocaust.
Lightfoot received backlash for her selection of David Brown as police superintendent, who, over the last four years, has been criticized for ineffectively protecting public safety.
Vallas presented a message of law and order to voters, appealing to educators by emphasizing his plans to manage city finances better and bring Chicago's public school system back up to its usual standard.
Brandon Johnson
Johnson was the underdog in the Chicago mayoral race, gaining popularity throughout the campaign after originally being overshadowed by big names such as Lightfoot, Vallas, and Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-IL).
He noted his improbability to make the runoff during his victory speech but attested his success to the citizens and unions that supported him.
"A few months ago, they said they didn’t know who I was," Johnson said. "Well, if you didn’t know, now you know."
He said, "Chicago, a black woman will still be in charge," as he gave a special thanks to his wife. During the campaign, Lightfoot had presented herself as the only viable black candidate, which prompted heavy backlash from Johnson and his supporters.
Johnson received an endorsement from the Chicago Teachers Union. If elected, he wants to increase funding for the school system to improve programs and school conditions. He said he also aims to hire new clinicians and counselors.
Johnson's focus has also been on public safety during the campaign, but he took it a step further to include other aspects rather than just increasing police presence. Lightfoot accused him of wanting to "defund" the police altogether, a hot-button term used by more progressive Democrats. However, Johnson adamantly denied that it was his goal.
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He has taken a more progressive stance, arguing that more investment needs to go toward mental health, education, jobs, and affordable housing, among others, to bring down crime in the long term.
"No one has a greater incentive for this city to work and be safe than I do. But I'm not alone," Johnson said. "There are families and individuals like me in every single neighborhood that want what I want. Safer neighborhoods. Excellent schools. Real investments in housing, mental health, and public transportation."