By: Ashmar Mandou

Entangled in a myriad of challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, to public safety, to a contentious relationship with the Chicago Teachers Union, Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for re-election on Tuesday, becoming the first in the 40 years to lose a second term. In a nine-person race for Mayor, Lightfoot failed to get enough votes to advance to an April 4th runoff. Mayor Lightfoot somberly addressed her crowd of supporters Tuesday night, saying, “Obviously we didn’t win the election today, but I stand here with my head held high.” Lightfoot is the first incumbent elected Chicago mayor to lose re-election since 1983, when Jane Byrne, the city’s first female mayor, lost her primary. Paul Vallas, a former CEO of Chicago schools, will face Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union in the upcoming runoff election.