Categories: Featured News

In Historic Election, Chicago’s New Mayor is Black, Female and Gay

Lori Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor, was elected as Chicago’s first black female mayor last night, in an historic first. She will also become the city’s first openly gay mayor.

She won a commanding victory after a long and grueling campaign that saw her defeat more than a dozen challengers as she won her first elected office.

Lightfoot, 56, will become the leader of the nation’s third-largest city as it grapples with devastating gun violence, public corruption, attempts to reform the police force and an unprecedented exodus of black residents leaving the city.

Last night she won the runoff election, beating another black woman, Toni Preckwinkle, who is president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Lightfoot will succeed outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel who decided not to seek a third term.

The size of Lightfoot’s victory was somewhat surprising as she beat Preckwinkle 74 percent to 26 percent.

In her victory speech, Lightfoot said she was committed to ending the broken political culture of Chicago.

“We can and we will break this city’s endless cycle of corruption,” she said, raising her fist in the air. “And never again, never ever, allow politicians to profit from elected positions.”

Lightfoot thanked the city and those who blazed the trail for her victory, saying:

“We may be strangers but in this room, in this city we are all neighbors.”

“Now that it’s over I know that we will work together for the city that we both love. Today you did more than make history, you created a movement for change.”

The significance of the moment was not lost on the crowd at the Hilton hotel where Lightfoot’s election party took place.

“I did not think I would see this in my lifetime,” said Leslie Page-Piper, 60, who volunteered for the Lightfoot campaign. “And it happened just like that,” he said, snapping his fingers. “I’m overwhelmed.”

Lightfoot, had previously led Chicago’s civilian board handling police discipline cases and worked for the law firm Mayer Brown. She had been an underdog during the mayoral race and was a relative unknown as well as a newcomer to politics.

Lightfoot describes herself as “an out and proud black lesbian.” When she takes office, she will be the first Chicago mayor who identifies as a lesbian.
“Out there tonight a lot of little girls and boys are watching. They’re watching us. And they’re seeing the beginning of something, well, a little bit different,” Lightfoot told her excited crowd on Tuesday with a smile.
“They’re seeing a city reborn. A city where it doesn’t matter what color you are,” she continued. “Where it doesn’t matter who you love, just as long as you love with all your heart.”
Leo Vidal

I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.

Recent Posts

Trump And House GOP’s Promise To Not Cut Social Security Is Total Nonsense

Trump got House Republicans to not use reconciliation to cut Social Security. The problem is…

1 day ago

Trump And Mike Johnson Agree To Apparently Cut Americans’ Healthcare To Pay For Tax Cuts For The Rich

President-elect Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson have agreed to a deal that would fund the…

1 day ago

Dozens Of Republicans Humiliate Trump/Musk By Voting Down CR

Donald Trump demanded that the debt limit be raised as part of the government funding…

2 days ago

Trump And Vance Blame Biden For Elon Musk Caused Chaos

Donald Trump and JD Vance are blaming President Biden for the havoc caused by Elon…

3 days ago

House Republicans Are Falling Apart And Now Mike Johnson Could Be Toast

The first little bit of pressure involving passing a bill to keep the government open…

3 days ago

Elon Musk Melts Down As House Republicans Show Him That He Has No Power

X boss Elon Musk is throwing a tantrum on his social media platform as House…

3 days ago