Lori Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor and the ninth candidate to jump into the race for Chicago mayor 11 months ago, won election Tuesday in a nearly 3-to-1 landslide over establishment candidate Toni Preckwinkle, an early favorite in a crowded field. A likely reaction from the Chicago Home for Experienced Political Pros: Howd that happen? Read on. First, a glance at the challenge she inherits:
Lightfoot will take her oath of office next month, replacing two-term Mayor Rahm Emanuel. He leaves City Hall steadier financially than when he took office in 2011 although Chicago and its taxpayers still face deep debts and structural deficits. One of Lightfoots first tasks will be to present a balanced budget for 2020 that includes an extra $276 million for city pension funds.
Shell also take over the fifth floor of City Hall as warmer weather threatens an uptick in violent crime. Homicides were down 38 percent as of late March compared with the same period last year. Can City Hall help sustain that trajectory? Residents on the South and West sides who live in perpetual fear of gun violence will be counting on her.
So whos the mayor-elect who must confront all of this? The Ohio-born Lightfoot, 56, lives in Logan Square on the citys Near Northwest Side with her wife, Amy Eshleman, and their 11-year-old daughter. Lightfoot got into the race in May 2018 to challenge Emanuel, who had appointed her to two police oversight posts but who, she thought, wasnt addressing Chicagos underdeveloped neighborhoods or the exodus of residents from them. After Emanuel announced in September that he wouldnt run again, some higher-profile candidates Preckwinkle among them jumped in.
Lightfoot mounted a strong, steady campaign that broke nearly every rule in Chicagos political playbook. Pundits dismissed her viability early on, saying she had no path to victory: What was the constituency for a black, gay corporate attorney facing a field of mostly insiders? Chicagos business community lined up behind candidate Bill Daley. Several unions endorsed Preckwinkle. Many black voters leaned toward businessman Willie Wilson. Latino voters split between Susana Mendoza and Gery Chico. Many white voters preferred Jerry Joyce.
Meanwhile the candidate without a path carved one that stretched from the North to Southwest sides in the de facto primary election Feb. 26, and again Tuesday.
And rather than benefit from whats left of the Democratic machine in these nonpartisan elections, Lightfoot beat all of its preferred candidates. Though some labor organizations endorsed her, union foot soldiers didnt carry her to victory in either contest.
She didnt have the endorsements of city aldermen that often translate into Election Day success. Ward heelers didnt distribute palm cards with her name at the top. She didnt have precinct captains with clipboards making sure their voters got to the polls. She didnt have a ground game.
Lightfoot comes across in person as reserved. But she dove into retail politicking and handshaking. Rather than relying solely on paid advertising, she went everywhere and met with everyone. She was on conservative talk radio in the morning and progressive talk radio in the afternoon. She went to high schools and churches and block clubs. She got in front of as many voters as possible.
Shes likable. Shes authoritative. Shes authentic. It worked.
Talking, talking and talking is a strategy not many campaign managers endorse. Its too risky. Candidates might screw up or say something that can be twisted. Lightfoot broke that stricture too.
She also ran on ideas. While many candidates get away with brushing past specifics, Lightfoot on several controversial subject areas curbing violence, overhauling the Chicago Police Department, encouraging affordable housing, reforming the City Council and expanding City Hall transparency, to name a few offered detailed proposals. She answered questions straight on. She didnt always stick to careful talking points.
How Lightfoot embraced running for mayor, and how Chicagoans citywide embraced her, brought refreshing change to Chicago politics. She broke the typical campaign template and won. We think shell govern just as capably.
Congratulations, Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot, and good luck.
The Chicago Tribune
