In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot conceded Tuesday evening after losing her bid for reelection. An April 4 runoff will pit Paul Vallas, the former superintendent of Chicago Public Schools, who is backed by the Fraternal Order of Police, and progressive Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner and organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union. This is Paul Vallas speaking to supporters last night.

Paul Vallas: “We will have a safe Chicago. We will make Chicago the safest city in America.”

In Chicago’s election, Paul Vallas received about 34% of the vote. Brandon Johnson placed second with just over 20%. On Tuesday night, Johnson criticized Vallas’s record.

Brandon Johnson: “He is backed by the same forces who have done nothing as crime has paralyzed our city. He is backed by the same supporters who have failed to enforce the consent decree, even after Adam Toledo, Laquan McDonald were killed.”

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot placed third in Tuesday’s race. Four years ago, she became the first Black woman and openly gay Chicago mayor, but she came under intense criticism during her term, including for her handling of the pandemic, racial justice protests, the Chicago teachers’ strike, crime levels and skyrocketing property taxes.