Lori Lightfoot Elected Chicago Mayor, Becomes First Black Woman & First Gay Person To Win The Office

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

The Democratic politician reportedly beat Toni Preckwinkle by a landslide.

Lori Lightfoot has been elected mayor of Chicago, making her the first black woman and first gay person to win the office in the city's history. Lightfoot will succeed Rahm Emanuel.

"I feel very humbled and honored. I'm gonna do everything I can to earn it," Lightfoot said to the Chicago Sun-Times. "We were hoping, based on our polling, that we would do really well. But, this is amazing. More than I ever dreamed of. People really wanted change. They were very troubled by the negative tone of the Preckwinkle campaign. Now, people have new hope for a new beginning."

Lightfoot was going up against Toni Preckwinkle in this year's mayoral race. Preckwinkle, also a black woman, was a former schoolteacher who served on the Chicago City Council for 19 years before becoming Cook County Board president in 2011. She was endorsed by Chance the Rapper, among others. Lightfoot has never held elective office before, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney before running for mayor.

"In this election Toni and I were competitors, but our differences are nothing compared to what we can achieve together," Lightfoot said after her win. "Now that it's over, I know we will work together for the city that we both love."

Lightfoot has said that she will focus on investing in neighborhoods on the West and South Sides and bring transparency and accountability to City Hall as mayor. She also said she wants to end City Hall corruption and restore people's faith in government.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times