Update 4/4/23 8:30PM PT: Brandon Johnson Wins Mayoral Election with 51.4% of the Vote – 286,647 Votes to Paul Vallas’ 48.6%.
The race for Chicago’s next mayor is heating up as Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas battle it out in a close runoff election. On April 6, the city will decide who will lead them for the next four years. This election is crucial for Chicago, as it will determine the direction of the city for years to come.
The results of the election night have been eagerly anticipated, and Northwestern University’s Marriott Marquis Chicago Hotel was the place to be. According to a second nonpartisan poll, both candidates are neck and neck, with Vallas getting 251,415 votes and Johnson reporting 258,594. The finish line was incredibly tight, with only a margin of 7179 votes separating the two candidates. The current polls show that it could go either way, as both candidates have strong support from their constituents.
Paul Vallas, a moderate Democrat and former CEO of Chicago Schools, supports Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who is endorsed by multiple public sector unions, such as the Chicago Teachers Union, and serves as a Cook County Commissioner. A recent poll has given Vallas a slim lead of 51.45 percent to Garcia’s 48.55 percent. Garcia, who was a teacher union organizer in the past, has also received support from former mayor Harold Washington, the Chicago Police Union, and Teachers Union.
On the other hand, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s endorsement of Vallas has caused some friction between him and his former allies in the teachers union. With nine candidates in the crowded field, many voters are doing their homework and studying the two mayoral candidates. On election day, February 28, many Chicago politicians were present to greet voters and honor the day tradition. Manny’s Deli was a popular spot for breakfast as people went to vote.
Lightfoot and Vallas are currently leading in polls in the final weeks before the election. The Chicago Sun Times has reported that it is likely that these two candidates will continue to receive votes and advance to the runoff election. In addition to the mayor race, other 2023 Chicago elections will take place on Election Day, including races for City Clerk and City Treasurer, Police District Councils, and many others.
On Election Night, Lori Lightfoot hosted a party in her honor at her campaign headquarters, while Paul Vallas held his event at a different venue. The Chicago Board of Elections has reported that 1,592,894 registered voters have filed petitions to cast 503,382 total ballots. This puts the turnout at 33.2%, a notable increase from previous elections. Regardless of who wins this runoff election, the future of Chicago is in good hands, as both candidates will surely bring something new to the city.
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