After a Stunning Election, the Future of Chicago Is Up for Grabs

Author: 
In These Times (Kari Lydersen)

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s third-place finish in Chicago’s mayoral race this week (February 28, 2023) made national headlines. Mainstream pundits largely attributed the outcome to Chicagoans’ fear of crime, while many Lightfoot supporters blamed racism, sexism and homophobia.

While there’s truth to both arguments, they are simplifications that miss more complicated dynamics. Lightfoot’s loss is not so surprising when one takes a harder look at her seemingly Cinderella-story victory in 2019, not to mention the pandemic and racial justice protests that were difficult for any big city mayor to weather.

The larger story of the election is not Lightfoot’s loss but what the upcoming runoff between the top two finishers says about the city.

https://inthesetimes.com/article/chicago-mayor-election-brandon-johnson-paul-vallas-lori-lightfoot

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