Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for a second term as mayor of Chicago, the nation’s third-largest city, on Tuesday after facing widespread criticism over her divisive leadership and a rise in crime in the city.
Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson will advance to the April 4 race to become Chicago’s next mayor after none of the nine candidates officially won a majority in the independent election.
Lightfoot, who made history in 2019 when she became the city’s first black woman and first openly gay person to serve as mayor, has declined in popularity after Chicago saw a spike in crime following the coronavirus pandemic.
Since then, opponents have blamed him for a rise in crime and criticized him as a divisive, highly controversial leader. He also received criticism for his handling of the 11-day teachers’ strike, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the protests in the summer of 2020.
Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Lightfoot called being Chicago’s mayor “the honor of a lifetime.”
Lightfoot said, “Regardless of tonight’s result, we fought the right fight and we put this city on a better path.” He asked his fellow mayors across the country not to be afraid to be bold.
Public safety has been a major ballot issue in the Windy City local election where policies on crime have increasingly resonated with voters. Residents also elected representatives to other local offices, including representatives on the city’s new police district councils – the latest effort to reform police oversight and accountability.