Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot risks an early re-election knockout - NBC News Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Chicago mayoral candidate and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas speaks to a customer at Mannys Deli in the West Loop on Election Day. "Obviously we've got to make sure we continue to do everything that we can to make public safety the priority, period. Man sues bar after he was allegedly banned for being ol Georgia player under fire after racist remark during 2023 NFL Draft on livestream, Dad of crying infant that triggered Texas killing spree 'never thought' gunman would fire, Megyn Kelly sports red MAGA-style hat in poolside pic, Gayle King says she doesnt have a desire to retire: I want more work, WNBA star Brittney Griner is heading to the Met Gala, Mariah Carey celebrates Moroccan and Monroes 12th birthday: My babies, NY Post Sports Reporter Zach Braziller breaks down the Knicks game 1 loss to the Heat, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, Kendall Jenner rocks sheer top, fur mini skirt for date night with Bad Bunny. Among women voters, 20% said theyd vote for the mayor, 18% for Garcia, 17% for Vallas and 12% for Wilson. The contest is officially nonpartisan and does not include any primaries, and will go to a runoff election on April 4 if one candidate fails to win 50% of the votesa likely scenario given the crowded field of Democratic contenders. She frequently touts that she's one of few incumbent big-city mayors deciding to ask for another term after the pandemic. Crime has spiked roughly 40% since she took office in 2019 and homicides rose to their highest numbers in. 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. 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. But at other times, Lightfoots actions have been questioned. It is a civil right, and it is the principle responsibility of government. "I think people go up early when there's trouble in the water. Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her wife, Amy Eshleman, greet supporters as Lightfoot prepares to file reelection nomination petitions for the 2023 Municipal Election at the Chicago Board of. Harano, 80, said he considered voting for Vallas, but believes Garcia brings so much more experience than Paul.. Racial politics have also been on full display in this election. "Just because some might not always like my delivery, doesn't mean we're not delivering," she said. State Rep. Kam Buckner. LORI LIGHTFOOT: Beware of a global pandemic. And she now faces a tough reelection battle. And, like so many in our city, Ive had to fight to have my voice heard, Lightfoot said in a video released Tuesday. All Rights Reserved. At a City Council meeting, Lightfoot was caught on a microphone referring to a union leader as this FOP clown., The police union has endorsed mayoral candidate Paul Vallas, a former city budget director and schools leader who served as an adviser to the police union during negotiations with City Hall. The citys population has also declined, as has Lightfoots reputation. We will make Chicago the safest city in America, he said. Kim Foxx will not seek reelection in 2024 - fox32chicago.com But Lightfoot has taken the most heat for increased crime, with homicides hitting a 25-year high in 2021 with roughly 800. Top row, from left: JaMal Green, Sophia King, Kam Buckner. For NPR News, I'm Mariah Woelfel, in Chicago. While homicides decreased in 2022, the previous year was the citys most violent in a quarter-century as crime spiked amid the pandemic. Chicago was one of several major cities where high-end retail districts were hit with looting in the wake of the George Floyd protests in the summer of 2020. 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. In a January attack ad, Lightfoot highlighted a donation Garca received to his congressional campaign from disgraced FTX crypto exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried. "There's a lot of anger, frustration and fear that is present, not only in Chicago, but across our country. All Rights Reserved. Re-Election is on the way, and it is arriving very quickly. Thanks for contacting us. After the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police prompted protests and civil unrest, including smashing of storefront windows and fires, Lightfoot ordered the city to raise drawbridges over the Chicago River in an attempt to block protesters from entering the downtown area. 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. A former top prosecutor defended the mayor's underlying message and believes she let her emotions get the best of her. But even as crime continued to increase, Lightfoot was accused of a lack of concern after she was caught on camera in January cheerfully dancing in the streets during a Lunar New Year parade. I need you to be on that ride with me. Mayor Lori Lightfoot kicked her campaign for a second term into a new gear as the field of challengers continues to grow. Some 250 supporters of Lightfoot attended a private campaign fundraiser in River North. Despite wishful thinking by some Lightfoot critics that she would bow out of the. "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. As for her future plans, Lightfoot said she's not going to disclose that until after she leaves office on May 15. Roderick Sawyer (6th) drew no support. Lori Lightfoot (@LoriLightfoot) / Twitter All rights reserved, campaign video posted on Monday to YouTube, Election 2022: Here's Who is Running for Governor of Illinois, State Rep. Kam Buckner Jumps Into Chicago Mayoral Race, In 1-on-1 Interview, Mayor Lightfoot Defends Millennium Park Curfew, Her Office's Handling of Crime, How Much Could You Get in New $725M Facebook Settlement? Lightfoot ran for re-election for Mayor of Chicago in Illinois. Cook County State's Attorney Foxx Won't Seek Re-Election "That's an issue that touches every voter in the city, and she's going to have to address that one head on.". 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. Her persona as a stern leader earned her a degree of popularity early in her term, but her style has come to be seen by many in political circles as overly abrasive. But, Lightfoot said she doesn't see herself running for office again. 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. And upon announcing her reelection, she told a room of supporters on Chicago's South Side she anticipated the challenging campaign. Girlfriend insists her secret visits and conversations with another man dont count as an affair. She supports Lightfoot and thinks the mayor is tackling crime the best way she can. The future of the City Council is also up in the air. Thats the share of votes Lightfoot won in the first round of the 2019 mayoral race, when she faced 13 other contenders, including Vallas, who won the less than 6% of votes. On Tuesday, Wilson was asked whether he would endorse Vallas, whose law-and-order, take-the-handcuffs-off the police message was similar to his own message. That means the winner is likely to be decided in an April 4 runoff between the top two vote-getters. For white voters, 38% of those polled said theyd vote for Vallas, followed by 16% for Lightfoot, 14% for Johnson and 10% for Garcia. Shes not good for Chicago. That's a difference-maker.". 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. That grade is based on the firms historical accuracy and surveying methodology. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Will Seek Second Term, Officially Thursday, former Governor Pat Quinn is expected to be announcing his decision on whether to get into the race. Lori Lightfoot becomes the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re Natasha Korecki is a senior national political reporter for NBC News. But that hasn't eased anxieties among Chicagoans. He is also the sixth candidate overall to announce a run, joining businessman Willie Wilson, State Representative Kam Buckner, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and Frederick Collins, a veteran Chicago police officer. 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. Those disputes and more have inspired eight challengers, some pushing themes of unity, including a Democratic U.S. congressman from Illinois, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. People are betting against us every single day. Crime has become a central issue in the race: Though homicides dipped 14% in 2022 from 2021, when the city recorded more killings than in any year of at least the previous 20, the 695 murders logged last year are still well above pre-pandemic 2019, when there were 500 murders, according to Chicago police statistics. Voters were asked about potential runoff matchups and Lightfoot fared poorly in the scenarios that included her. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia says Lightfoot faces toughest re-election challenge He said that he fundamentally opposes abortion. Lightfoot pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd and the escalating violence that ensued as factors in her election loss. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first term in office saw a spike in crime, disputes with labor unions, and the pandemic. Heres Brandon, a beaming Johnson said as his supporters chanted, We want Brandon., Well Chicago, we did it yall. "The fact is because of you, Chicago is coming back. And we've already seen that the wealthy Republican establishment is pouring money into his campaign right and left. 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. In the lead-up to Tuesdays election, polls showed that public safety was by far the top concern among Chicago residents. 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. 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. Obviously, we didnt win the election. CHICAGO (WLS) -- It has been two months since the voters sealed the fate of Lori Lightfoot as a one-term mayor. As for her successor, Lightfoot said it will be critical for Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson to rise above the fray and not be beholden to any special interests. Lightfoot has seen her early popularity as a stalwart leader during the pandemic fade, amid rising crime rates and heated public feuds with local lawmakers and the citys largest unions, including the conservative Fraternal Order of Police, which endorsed Vallas, and the liberal Chicago Teachers Union, which endorsed Johnson. The city also saw more than 20,000 cases of theft last year, nearly double the amount of similar incidents in 2021, Chicago Police Department data shows. 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. What about my sons and my daughters that have never committed a crime, that have a future ahead of them?. But they are still higher than when she took office, and concerns have grown about other violent crime in the city, including carjackings. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. At final rally, Mayor Lori Lightfoot revs up crucial backers: Black women. "It's a false narrative, as far as I'm concerned," Lightfoot said. And unlike her predecessors, Lightfoot doesn't enjoy a fundraising advantage over her top rivals. But, I'm done with electoral politics for myself.". Lightfoot has increased her support in some areas of the city. So, were gonna invest in the people of the city.. 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. 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. Vallas wears his opposition from the teachers union like a badge of honor. The Republican National Committee released a statement in response to Lightfoot's announcement. She faced stiff competition, particularly from Johnson, who had the backing and organizational benefits of the powerful Chicago Teachers Union, as well as Willie Wilson, a Black entrepreneur who had been polling ahead of Johnson. And if everyone wants to keep up, they can try to keep up," said Alderman Roderick Sawyer, a fellow candidate for mayor. It didnt save Lightfoot. We have started to change Chicago around for the better, Lightfoot said during a recent debate. Wilsons favorable-unfavorable ratings were 29% and 26% and Johnsons 26% and 11%. 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. That's one thing that she is going to have to answer for at all costs. Those are among the key findings of a Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ/Telemundo Chicago/NBC5 Poll conducted last week. Dear Abby: Is it cheating if nothing physical ever happened? Its tribalism at its worst and at its best.. All of the candidates have sought to address the issue, but Vallas and Wilson have been the most outspoken, focusing mostly on beefing up the police. Starting next Monday, candidates can begin turning in their petitions, where 12,500 valid signatures are required, so candidates typically gather triple that. "As Democrats, if we do not speak the truth about violent crim That makes his runoff endorsement pivotal, just as Wilsons endorsement of Lightfoot was in 2019. 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. Lightfoot has also clashed with the Chicago police union, the Fraternal Order of Police. Election Day is Tuesday, with a likely runoff for the top-two vote-getters in April. RELATED: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot receives endorsement from IL Senator Tammy Duckworth. But as Lightfoot has touted the accomplishments of her first term that she hopes to build on, her opponents have railed on her in forums and in campaign commercials. I will also have zero tolerance when it comes to violating the law or violating the Constitution. So what are the missteps that led to Lightfoots landslide re-election loss? Just 2% said theyd vote for activist JaMal Green, and 1% chose either Ald. She just dont get it. Six other candidates have announced their mayoral run. But, she declined to discuss what they talked about in private. 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. That is the biggest concern that I'm hearing from voters," said ABC political analyst Laura Washington. A local county commissioner, Brandon Johnson, is chief among them. Businessman Willie Wilson trailed closely with 12%, and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson with 11%. McElroy said officers have taken 45 minutes to respond to crimes shes witnessed in her neighborhood. Lightfoot announced her campaign in a video that was apparently first posted on. 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. Were she to lose, Lightfoot would be the first Chicago mayor in decades to run for reelection and fail. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Vallas has cast the city as gripped by out-of-control crime and blamed leadership for failing to hold people accused of crimes accountable. David Greising: Kim Foxx and Lori Lightfoot show the reality of Crime spiked during her term, though she has repeatedly touted that it dropped year-over-year in 2022. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Vies For Re-Election After Rocky First The Englewood resident said shes leaning toward Garcia, but also still considering Vallas for his tough-on-crime stance. Garcia, by far, had the most support in the Hispanic community, with 56% of Latino voters saying theyd support him. Lightfoot, the first black woman to be mayor,sparked controversy in 2021 when she opted to only grant one-on-one interview requeststo minority journalists. It will not only come from providing the police with the resources and the support that they need, but from building the bond between the police department and the community so we have true community policing. Lightfoots most formidable opponent may be two-term U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, a former member of the Chicago City Council, state Senate and county board who lost a runoff eight years ago against then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel. But with six challengers already in the race, the ACLU said the mayor was doing some political posturing in an election year. But there are serious Black challengers to her left to choose from who say Lightfoot has reneged on progressive promises. Lightfoot went down swinging and took U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia down with her. 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. Public safety is the fundamental right of every American. Lightfooteventually announced the district had reached a deal with the union after months of unsuccessful negotiations, which had led to marches and rallies across the city. Among the progressive groups vying to sway the political tilt of City Hall are United Working Families and the Chicago Teachers Union, who have backed Johnson. Its hard to make the case for reelection when your numbers are that bad, and youve got so many people in the city and its across the board saying they dont think things are going well.. In addition to Garcia, Vallas and Johnson, the other candidates running are wealthy businessman Willie Wilson, Chicago City Council members Sophia King and Roderick Sawyer, activist Ja'Mal Green and state Rep. Kambium Kam Buckner. "I think she's done a great job," said Eraina Nicholson. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first term in office saw a spike in crime, disputes with labor unions, and the pandemic. Less than a year into her tenure, the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the city. 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. We've received your submission. Lightfoot made history when she became the first black woman and first openly gay person to be elected Chicago mayor back in 2019. 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. Ald. Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposes tripling ride-share tax on solo rides in Lightfoot maintained that commitment, Rush said, even under the toughest of circumstances.. We have shifted the political dynamics in this city., He added, Tonight is about building a Chicago that truly invests in our people. Garcia has openly called Vallas a Republican for views he argues are more at home in the GOP. One of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's top City Council allies said she will "absolutely not" support her campaign for reelection and criticized the mayor for being divisive, comments that . Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file This time around, the mayoral field is almost certain to be smaller at least in part due to those soon-to-be-diminished mayoral powers. 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. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is the first openly gay person and first Black woman to lead the city. You know, again, I don't spend a lot of time looking in the rearview mirror," Lightfoot said. Decrying the utter breakdown of law and order in Chicago, he has unveiled a sweeping plan to fill 1,700 police vacancies, take the handcuffs off demoralized officers and stop brazen criminals from terrorizing residents. Lori Lightfoot campaign probed for trying to recruit students - NBC News What is Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson inheriting from Lori Lightfoot? "Instead of a public safety plan, she's raised bridges, put up barricades and demanded curfews," added State Representative Kam Buckner. With five weeks to go until the runoff, both Vallas and Johnson will likely need to raise $5 million in short order while also debating each other and crisscrossing the city in a frenzied attempt to expand their political bases. 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. There was no honeymoon period for me, she said. Tessa Weinberg covers city politics and government for WBEZ. Her last day in power is May 15. A few months ago, they said they didnt know who I was. Chicago voters resoundingly rejected Mayor Lori Lightfoot's reelection As his campaign manager predicted, Johnson appears to have claimed a large share of undecided African-American voters who were searching for an alternative to Lightfoot. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot is going on the offensive in the campaign for mayor as the field continues to grow. Chicago mayoral candidates seeking to challenge Mayor Lori Lightfoot JESUS CHUY GARCIA: Chicago needs a mayor who will bring together and unite instead of driving us apart. "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 is the most segregated city in America. Lightfootwho became Chicago's first Black female and first openly gay mayor in 2019is facing an uphill battle for reelection, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, with recent polls showing her. Lightfoot on the Verge of Losing in Re-Election In addition to the pandemic, her biggest challenge might be the perception by many that crime is out of control. He's repeatedly called for more police officers, saying, Crime is out of control.. After hinting for months in interviews and at public events that she plans to seek a second term in office, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday officially announced her bid to run for mayor again in 2023. But it has taken a front seat this year as crime has seeped into wealthy areas. CNN projects Lightfoot to lose reelection bid for Chicago mayor 03:21 See More Videos CNN Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for a second term Tuesday, failing to make a top-two. CHICAGO - After two terms as Cook County 's chief prosecutor, Kim Foxx says she will not run for re-election after her current term concludes in 2024. CHICAGO -- 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. She also won in a landslide victory in all 50 wards against her opponent Cook County Commissioner Toni Preckwinkle. This time, he spent more than $6 million of his personal fortune. Garcia was viewed favorably by 33% and unfavorably by 18%, followed by Vallas, with 30% favorable views and 20% unfavorable. Roderick Sawyer became the second city council member to announce a mayoral run Thursday, joining 15th Ward Alderman Ray Lopez. Everyone feels traumatized.. Lightfoot faces rough road to reelection, Sun-Times/WBEZ/Telemundo That's the best part of the job.". Lightfootended up taking Catanzara to court, where she successfully argued that his call for officers to ignore the vaccine mandate was illegal. Lightfoot has accused Vallas of being a closet Republican who is anti-abortion and pro-voucher even though he ran for governor and lieutenant governor as a Democrat and has called himself a Democrat his entire life.