She supports Lightfoot and thinks the mayor is tackling crime the best way she can. WOELFEL: The tough reelection campaign is no surprise to anyone, Lightfoot included. POLL: Bleak numbers spell trouble for Mayor Lightfoots reelection bid, Accused of bilking Vallas campaign out of $680,000, consultant says allegations are shameful and unfounded, Mayor-elect Johnsons plans to double number of summer jobs for Chicagos teens might require some work, Vallas sues consultant who allegedly defrauded campaign out of $680,000, Conservative radio talk show host Larry Elder announces 2024 GOP bid for president, Mayor-elect Johnson pitches unity to state legislators in Springfield: Our challenges are not that unique, Anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launches 2024 presidential campaign, The Edgar haircut is one more thing kids, parents can disagree on, Dear Abby: When I travel, friend checking my home also snoops through my things, Shoplifter stabs Loop Target employee, leading to store closure. If she fails to make the runoff election, she would be the first elected Chicago mayor since Jane Byrne the citys first female mayor to fail to win a second term. But Lightfoot was quickly slammed over her hypocrisy after she posted footage of herself celebrating with fellow Democrats after Biden defeated Donald Trump. Ald. Brandon Johnson. Well, if you didnt know, now you know. Racial politics have also been on full display in this election. With violent crime and the perception of it foremost on the minds of voters, the mayor who chose Chicago Police Supt. Johnson is hoping to consolidate a divided African-American vote and resurrect the rainbow coalition that elected and re-elected Harold Washington, in part, by winning Garcias formidable endorsement. "Just because some might not always like my delivery, doesn't mean we're not delivering," she said. Another 10 candidates, including Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara and CTU President Jesse Sharkey are considering running as well, sources told Ahern. We have started to change Chicago around for the better, Lightfoot said during a recent debate. "Politics is a part of everyday life. As part of her defense, Lightfoot told MSNBC that everyone at the street party was wearing masks. Natasha Korecki is a senior national political reporter for NBC News. Voters were asked about potential runoff matchups and Lightfoot fared poorly in the scenarios that included her. I am so freakin proud because we did this. She says her administration has made concrete progress on critical issues, from putting money into neighborhoods that have seen decades of disinvestment to taking illegal guns off the streets. WOELFEL: Lightfoot faced backlash recently after warning Black residents against splitting the vote, saying a ballot for anyone but her is like giving your vote to Vallas. 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. In addition to the pandemic, her biggest challenge might be the perception by many that crime is out of control. Big personalities are an advantage. The Republican National Committee released a statement in response to Lightfoot's announcement. Lightfoots re-election campaign has centered on highlighting investments in impoverished neighborhoods under her watch and her early popularity during the pandemic. She has also touted record spending on public safety, including the police department and anti-violence programs. Lightfoot's unfavorable ratings have soaredwith Chicagoans fed up with gun violence, as well as carjackings and robberies. Lightfoot faced long odds and was in danger of an early re-election knockout. And despite being the sitting mayor, she routinely failed to leadin recent polling, falling behind Vallas and Democratic Rep. Jess "Chuy" Garcia. It will also offer voters the starkest of contrasts on the future of education and policing. Despite wishful thinking by some Lightfoot critics that she would bow out of the. Vallas waited until Lightfoots concession call and speech before claiming his place in the runoff. 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. I need you to be on that ride with me. Earlier Tuesday, sources told NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern that Lightfoot was expected to announce her 2023 re-election campaign at a private event for donors and close allies in Chicago's River North neighborhood Tuesday, followed by a public event Wednesday. Foxx defended her decision . She reflected on what went wrong, as well what she hopes will be her legacy. Garcia, by far, had the most support in the Hispanic community, with 56% of Latino voters saying theyd support him. 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. Under Lightfoots watch, there were more than 800 murders in the Windy City in 2021 the most in a quarter-century. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is looking to shore up support in the business community with a speech Friday that focused on financial progress that Chicago has made during her first term. 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.". "So, for me, the biggest challenge wasn't some particular person's name on the ballot. WATCH: Lightfoot speaks exclusively with ABC7 during reelection campaign kickoff. 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. 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. Lightfoot was asked why she won't be turning hers in on the first day, but will instead wait till the last minute. 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. He's repeatedly called for more police officers, saying, Crime is out of control.. Lightfoot winded down her term in office, and in her only local TV interview. The contrast between the two runoff opponents could not be more stark when it comes to the future of policing and public education in Chicago. A Vallas-Johnson runoff promises to be a generational battle between the candidate of the Fraternal Order of Police and the candidate of the Chicago Teachers Union, as veteran political strategist David Axelrod put it. If no candidate wins a majority on Feb. 28, the two candidates who win the most votes square off in an April 4 runoff. 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. In fact, he wants to cut at least $150 million from the police budget by reducing the number of supervisors and raising the ratio between bosses and rank-and-file officers. 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. Ideologically, the choice between Vallas and Johnson is stark. She is over the top," Garcia said. Three years ago, Lightfootmade historywhen she became Chicago's first Black, female and openly gay mayor. 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. That makes his runoff endorsement pivotal, just as Wilsons endorsement of Lightfoot was in 2019. The biggest challenge was breaking through what I call that 'anger bubble.'". Lightfoot has made a point of noting that violence had eased by the end of last year. He has further infuriated the CTU by proposing that scores of Chicago Public Schools buildings now operating more than half-empty forge partnerships with charters and parochial schools; the school day and school year be lengthened; and tax increment financing surplus be used to create a school voucher program. While she supports police, Allen said comments like Wilsons that officers should be able to chase people down like a rabbit are crazy., If the only plan you have for Chicago is to fight crime, what about the rest of us that dont do crime? Allen said. Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 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. Never will be good for Chicago, said Wilson, who said he plans to visit churches and neighborhoods before deciding whether or not to make an endorsement. "We will have a safe Chicago. ), a Lightfoot supporter, told the Sun-Times shortly before the mayor conceded. What about my sons and my daughters that have never committed a crime, that have a future ahead of them?. 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. Vallas, 69, and Johnson, 46, will face off five weeks from now in the April 4 runoff to decide who will become the 57th mayor of Chicago. He will be propelled by that. While 22% of voters said they didnt recognize Johnsons name, the former CPS schoolteacher and CTU member was neck and neck with Vallas when voters were asked to choose between them in a hypothetical runoff Johnson earning 39% to Vallas 38%. 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. But McElroy said she feels Lightfoot has failed to make progress on the issues that she sees plaguing her neighborhood, such as crime, vacant lots and shuttered schools. Tuesday voters rejected reelection bid. If they have that many people to spare, thats incredible. That's one thing that she is going to have to answer for at all costs. Ahead of a crowded Feb. 28 election, Lightfoot has been forced to go on the defensive in a heated race that has turned into both a personality contest and a policy debate. Now Lightfoot follows in the footsteps of Byrne after suffering the ultimate political humiliation an incumbent mayor not only denied a second term: She couldnt even make it into the runoff. So if I'm running forward, I'm going to continue to do that. 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. Another big name is poised to join the race Thursday, and Wednesday, the mayor addressed concerns about the race. Fights with the teachers' union over when to bring kids back to school after the height of the pandemic led to work stoppages. ", When asked what she hopes to be remembered for, Lightfoot said she doesn't have "those kinds of hopes.". I can tell you that much. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's first term in office saw a spike in crime, disputes with labor unions, and the pandemic.
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