For the first time in history, Chicago will have a Black woman as Mayor. February 26’s election was stacked with 14 candidates looking to replace current mayor Rahm Emmanuel when his term ends.
The 14 candidates marked the most ever to attempt to take the mayoral seat for the city, however, the polls showed one of the lowest turnouts in Chicago voting history.
Two leaders emerged from the field, Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle, both Black Women. The third position went to Bill Daley, the brother to former Chicago Mayor Daley, fourth was held by former Chicago-based United States Presidential Candidate Willie Wilson and fifth place went to another Black woman, Amara Enyia. Those in third and lower have all conceded, leaving Lightfoot and Preckwinkle in a runoff set for this coming April.
Tonight’s results were not what we hoped. But we cannot dwell on what could have been. We must look forward to how we can help shape our city’s future. Chicago is a part of me. It always will be. While I may not be its next mayor, I won’t stop fighting to move our city forward.
— Bill Daley (@DaleyForMayor) February 27, 2019
Enyia you may recall had support from Chance the Rapper and Kanye West. The former spoke out regarding Enyia’s efforts on Twitter after her concession.
You ran an amazing race. Alot of ppl, young and old, went out in the cold to knock on doors and canvas for you. I got alot of ppl texting me to tell me they voted for the first time in their lives because of you. Thank you for your dedication to the city and its ppl. ?? pic.twitter.com/a5wo5fWtH8
— Chance Owbum ? (@chancetherapper) February 27, 2019
In her speech after securing her runoff spot, Lori Lightfoot detailed that she will continue to oppose the machine. Toni Preckwinkle detailed at her Southside campaign headquarters the movement to continue forward after a campaign that was riddled with controversy including donations from troubled Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and more.
The Chicago runoff will be on April 2.
We’re first place and headed into an April 2nd runoff! Let’s bring it home! Join us: https://t.co/ftBoIwrvjF pic.twitter.com/0xB6G7mLo5
— Lori Lightfoot (@LightfootForChi) February 27, 2019