Progressive Brandon Johnson wins Chicago mayoral election
Backed by Bernie Sanders, the mayor-elect narrowly defeated fellow Democrat Paul Vallas in Tuesday's election.
El nuevo alcalde de Chicago, Brandon Johnson, con el senador Bernie Sanders durante un mitin electoral para la Alcaldía de Chicago (@Brandon4Chicago / Twitter)
Progressive Brandon Johnson is the new mayor of Chicago. The former Cook County commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union organizer defeated fellow Democrat Paul Vallas last Tuesday.
Johnson won 51.42% of the vote compared to Vallas' 48.5%, according to the latest data from the Chicago Electoral College. Of the 1.5 million Chicago residents registered to vote, 558,574 took part in yesterday's elections, making up 35.19% of total eligible voters.
The two candidates represent different factions of the Democratic Party. While Johnson leans more toward the progressive wing, even receiving the support of Bernie Sanders, his rival leans more toward the moderates or conservatives.
Same party, different mayor
Mayor Lori Lightfoot was missing in the elections, after coming in third in the first round. After the results were announced, the former mayor, also a Democrat, attributed her defeat to her race and gender: "I am a black woman — let’s not forget. Certain folks, frankly, don’t support us in leadership roles."
Although the Windy City's mayoral elections are officially non-partisan, candidates always identify with a party. With that in mind, it is noteworthy to point out that no Republican-leaning politician has held this office since 1931 when William Hale Thomson's second term ended.
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