Dem
51
GOP
49
As long as we're in the Midwest anyhow, let us take the opportunity to note that the time has come for Chicagoans to vote for mayor. In theory, the identity of the person who will be inaugurated on May 22 could be known by the end of the night. In reality, the middling popularity of Mayor Lori Lightfoot (who is running for reelection) and the presence of eight other candidates means that nobody is going to get the 50% needed to avoid a runoff.
The near-universal presumption is that Lightfoot, by virtue of incumbency and high name recognition, will be one of the two folks who advances to the second round of voting. That's more likely to be correct than not, but don't bet the house on it. Again, she's not especially popular, and she's being attacked for her COVID management and for increases in crime. Plus, there are five other Black candidates in the race, and they could draw votes away from her. The polls make pretty clear that white guy Paul Vallas, who is running to Lightfoot's right, is going to advance. And the second slot could plausibly go to Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, who is a lefty, or to Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, who is the only Latino in the race, and who is running as a moderately liberal alternative to the moderately liberal Lightfoot. Although the race is officially nonpartisan, all of the candidates are Democrats, except for Willie Wilson of the Willie Wilson Party. (Really.)
We'll certainly have the results tomorrow. And if any Chicagoans care to write in with their thoughts on the election or the outcome, we will share those. (Z)