Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot in danger of losing re-election with 9 candidates on the ballot

Lightfoot has three main competitors in the race who have a possibility of beating her

Published: February 20, 2023 7:30pm

Updated: February 20, 2023 9:01pm

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is in possible danger of losing her re-election bid due to nine other candidates on the ballot for the election next week. 

“There’s nine people on the ballot,” Lightfoot said in an interview, according to NBC News. “It’s impossible not to have a runoff.”

The municipal election will take place Feb. 28 and if a candidate doesn't get a majority, the top two vote-getters will go against each other in another round of voting in April. 

Lightfoot has three main competitors in the race who have a possibility of beating her.

"It's looking harder and harder for her," one of her competitors, Rep. Jesús "Chuy" Garcia, D-Ill., said in an interview, according to NBC. "It's a hell of a front to be fighting on, from her vantage point." 

According to a poll from the Chicago Sun Times, Lightfoot is polling very close with Paul Vallas, a former CEO of Chicago Public Schools who is running for mayor. 

“I love people thinking of me as the underdog,” Lightfoot said. “I’ve been an underdog my whole life. And I’ve always proven people wrong, so I’m OK in that lane.”

Lightfoot has taken a few shots at another opponent, Brandon Johnson who is a Cook County commissioner. He has responded, calling the attacks "desperate."

“She certainly recognizes that our movement is gaining steam, and more and more people are responding to our message," Johnson responded to her attacks. 

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