Lori Lightfoot says she's done with electoral politics #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] In her interview with ABC 7 since her first round loss in February in her re-election bid for mayor she brushes aside her combative style as why she lost in the first round. Though she does admit there are many things she could've done differently. She even stated if she could get 4000 votes across Black Chicago she'd still be mayor.

Now I saw some speculation on Twitter about her possibly running for Cook County State's Attorney and Lightfoot was a federal prosecutor. Some might say she was a better prosecutor than mayor - which well that's the truth. Some might say she might go back to the Justice Department perhaps even become Chicago's US Attorney although I don't know if there is a vacancy there.

Regardless she did state that she's done with electoral politics. Is it safe to say she won't run for office ever again?

BTW, I forgot to note in reference to the State's Attorney that last week Kim Foxx stated that she will not run for re-election next year. So that position is now an "open seat"! 

Illinois Channel: Will Mayor-Elect Johnson IGNORE the Biggest Issue?

 

[VIDEO] Illinois Channel Director Terry Martin & Public Affairs host Jeff Berkowitz discuss mayor-elect Brandon Johnson. One question to ask if the mayor-to-be would ignore the issue of crime that most Chicagoans are worried about?

I see only that last-night there was some issues - most call it a melee or a mini-riot - near the 31st Street beach on Friday night. Most who commented on this via Twitter just joked that the Mayor-elect would sent social workers to this instead of a significant police presence.

WBEZ: Brandon Johnson will be Chicago’s next mayor #ChiMayor23

Brandon Johnson Mayor-elect

I hope he lives up to these words, a united city will be a great city.

Starting with little citywide name recognition, Johnson finished second in the first-round election in February to qualify for the runoff and rallied from behind in polls in the weeks before Tuesday’s vote.

“You know, they said this would never happen,” Johnson said in his victory speech before a raucous crowd. “If they didn’t know — now they know.”

Johnson said his win represented a victory for a “bold progressive movement” and would bring “the revival and resurrection of the city of Chicago.”

But he also immediately reached out to the many voters who did not pick him Tuesday: “I care about you. I value you. And I want to hear from you. I want to work with you. I will be the mayor for you too. This campaign has always been about building a better, stronger, safer Chicago for all the people of Chicago.”

Another piece of analysis:

Brandon Johnson Mayor-elect #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] Well as a casual observer Paul Vallas seemed to be very good on policy issues. Brandon Johnson was said to be a very good talker. 

Johnson had to answer for his comments with regards to "defund police" and Vallas had to answer for being a Republican.

Vallas was the top vote getter on February 28th and it seems polls favored him initially and then it seems Johnson seemed to gain some traction. Now he notes that the outgoing Mayor stated that he couldn't win and guess what he did tonight?

I didn't expect Vallas to concede, perhaps he'd wait for the mail in vote to be counted - it wouldn't have been counted tonight anyway. Of course that means that the numbers would have to justify Vallas holding out for all votes to be counted. And Vallas noting the division in the city, just decided to concede and move forward which is certainly necessary.

Well time to move forward a lot of serious issues that requires serious attention. Here's hoping we solve most of those issues in the next four years.

Chicago Decides: Brandon Johnson, Paul Vallas square off in CBS 2 debate #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] We have one week before the April 4, 2023 runoff and this is the last televised mayoral debate between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson which aired tonight on CBS 2 Chicago WBBM-TV.

You know allow me this opportunity to look at a recent mayoral poll via Rich Miller at CapFax.

NewsNation: Tale of two Democrats running for Mayor #ChiMayor23 #RushHour

 

[VIDEO] WGN Anchor Ben Bradley goes on NewsNation's Rush Hour program to talk about the mayoral election. He is already predicting 30% voter turnout among those voters who have a vested interest in the system, the teacher's union. Crime is a big issue, however, they talk a little about the education system.

Brandon Johnson is a former teacher and an organizer for the teacher's union vs. Paul Vallas who former ran CPS in the 1990s under Mayor Daley. Could the teacher's union make a difference in the April 4th runoff?

CapFax: Toddlin Town roundup - Is Vallas losing support of Black voters?

 At the start of this roundup looking at support among likely voters in the mayoral race we see where both Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are at with voters. I can see Commissioner Johnson's standing beginning to rise, especially with the Black vote. And then the whole issue of Vallas saying things with regards to Gov. Pritzker managing the pandemic and what he says on right-wing talk shows that are starting to become issues.

Before Feb 28, 2023 election people were taking shots at him for being a Republican. What say you all once you check out the round-up at Capitol Fax.

That toddlin’ town roundup: Poll has Vallas’ Black support plummeting https://t.co/jBUdU3IMpB

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) March 23, 2023

FOX 32 Mayoral Forum #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] Another mayoral debate airing on WFLD-TV 32 aka FOX 32 Chicago between Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and former CPS CEO Paul Vallas. About an hour debate which I hope you guys well let the public know who you think did the best in this debate. 

I'm sure there will be react about it!

Early voting has been going on since March 20th and through to April 3, 2023. Election Day for the mayoral runoff will be on April 4, 2023.

CBS 2 Chicago: Johnson & Vallas get fiery at latest debate #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] This most recent debate took place on WGN Tuesday night and I wanted to share this brief story about is from our local CBS affiliate. If I see a video of that whole debate that is embeddable I will share here.

Anyone has any thoughts on these runoff debates? In your opinion who won?

Chicago Tonight: CTA & City eyes community centric development around future Red Line extension #Ward09 #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] I suppose this could be a question for both Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson for the 2023 runoff, what is their position on the CTA Red Line extension. What would they be able to do to make this future extension into Ward 9/Roseland a reality?

Last night's #ABC7Chicago #ChiMayor23 debate

 

[VIDEO] This debate aired last night and you can see it in full here. I hear it got spicy between candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson. I didn't get a chance to watch it, but let's watch it together and decide who won this one.

I want to share this link from Capitol Fax this morning. Looking at polling numbers from the mayoral election late last month. Who predicted the runoff and who would be in it? How did especially Vallas and Johnson fare last month? What about Chuy Garcia how did he falter in his mayoral bid?

Also we see how "defund police" is faring amongst voters and we see it largely doesn't. I wonder if there is any data on "defund police" among Black voters.

The runoff is on April 4, 2023 and early voting begins on March 20, 2023.

Ald. Beale endorses Paul Vallas #ChiMayor23 #Ward09

 I found it in a tweet today and then found this BlockClubChi article.

Chicago mayor candidate Paul Vallas @PaulVallas was endorsed by 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale. I count 24 current Chicago city council members endorsing for the Chicago mayor runoff election #chimayor23. Paul Vallas has 15 endorsements and Brandon Johnson has 9 endorsements. #twill pic.twitter.com/n7bv96F1X7

— Frank Calabrese (@FrankCalabrese) March 16, 2023

Let's get to BlockClubChi Ald. Beale's name is buried with other members of the City Council who also endorsed Vallas recently. It was in the news that State Rep. Kam Buckner endorsed the other candidate in the April 4 runoff, County Commissioner Brandon Johnson.

The Vallas campaign announced support from several South and West Side City Council members and former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones.

Alds. Michelle Harris (8th), Anthony Beale (9th), David Moore (17th), Derrick Curtis (18th) and Emma Mitts (37th) will endorse Vallas Thursday afternoon in Chatham, his campaign said in a news release.

The run-off is on April 4, 2023, however, early voting is scheduled to start on March 20, 2023. 

CapFax: That toddlin’ town roundup #ChiMayor23

 A number of campaign and certainly political updates from the mayoral runoff. Who endorsed who? What are their policy proposals? And of course who called who a Republican? Via Capitol Fax

That toddlin’ town roundup https://t.co/Lnw1eWIbhJ

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) March 13, 2023

WGN News: Vallas & Johnson prepare for tonight's debate #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] This is very short notice so I do apologize for this. The debate airs tonight on NBC-5 hosted by political reporter Mary Ann Ahern. You can watch online via this link from NBCChicago. Wait it will be going on now as I post this as it begins at 6 PM this evening.

As you see on this brief report from WGN you see what's been going on since last week's election. You see Vallas picks up a great endorsement from his fellow mayoral challenger Willie Wilson. And then you see how much support Johnson has from the LGBTQ community, they question Paul Vallas' comittment to their community.

If there is a embed to share of tonight's debate it will be shared here. The runoff election will be on April 4, 2023. Early voting is scheduled to begin March 20, 2023. 

Lightfoot concedes #ChiMayor23 #Ward09

 For those of you paying attention to the results of yesterday's election race, well this is not breaking news. For those of you who weren't well after the April 4, 2023 runoff we will have a new mayor. The mayoral race has been whittled down to former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and current Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. Incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot was relegated to third place in last night's results.

If you don't believe she conceded video here. Perhaps I expected her to be more combative than she seemed to have been last night. [VIDEO]

I plan to update the 2023 page with current numbers and especially for the mayoral race who will be moving onto the runoff. Final numbers - per the experts - won't be known for at least a couple of weeks as electoral authorities continue to count ballots especially the early votes and mail-in votes.

From the results I've seen last night in Ward 9, it appears Anthony Beale has secured yet another term on the Chicago City Council.

Via ABC 7 Chicago 2023 election results

Tomorrow is Election Day #ChicagoElections #ChiMayor23

 If you have't early voted, tomorrow is the day to cast a vote for Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, City Council, and those little known & new police district board council.

If you're looking for some last minute stories check out this round by via Capitol Fax.

That toddlin’ town Monday morning roundup https://t.co/EFpBL82gXt

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) February 27, 2023

And how about a video from FOX 32 regarding Tuesday's election. They speak with Max Bever of the Chicago Board of Elections [VIDEO]

WGN: Breaking down Chicago early voting numbers #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] On WGN Weekend Morning News there is a discussion with Steve Valles - co-director of Chicago Votes breaking down early voting numbers. I suppose the news I have seen have discussed to which candidate early voting benefits? Another aspect I've seen out there, is how long until we finally determine who won the 2023 mayoral race or at least who's in the mayoral runoff?

This discussion has been about how to energize young people to vote in this election. Also we hear that this is the first election where Cook County Jail is a polling location. So Chicago Votes has something going on with the inmates there.

Early voting is going on through next Monday and Election Day is next Tuesday February 28th. Have you all early voted yet? Do you plan to wait until Election Day?

So Lightfoot doesn't want people to vote? #ChiMayor23

 So at a rally over the past weekend the Mayor said that you shouldn't vote. Wait did we hear correctly? Well WLS-TV did the story on this. We can listen for ourselves. [VIDEO]

And then this morning some blowback as we've seen on WFLD-TV. So let's put this in text form she stated any votes not for Lightfoot from the South Side is a vote for Garcia and Vallas. And if you want them to determine your fate then don't vote and stay home. It's all about the soundbites. 

She must be worried about those two gents, but not as much about Brandon Johnson whom she has cut ads against. Anyway on to the FOX 32 report [VIDEO]

OK! She misspoke....I suppose I can accept that. Now it's just more evidence that her leadership is very undiplomatic.

One thing is likely talked about. The number of Black candidates in the race could dilute the Black vote and lead to either Congressman Garcia or Vallas to possibly win the mayoral race. Though I'm hoping that Chicagoans will not vote according to their race/ethnicity they vote for the best person to be mayor.

As of today we have a week to go before Election Day. Early voting will continue through next Monday. As you see in the FOX 32 report Mayor Lightfoot and her significant other had voted early on President's Day. Have you voted yet?

Vallas denounces Florida Governor visit to Chicago area promoted by Chicago fraternal order of police #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] Perhaps you may not know Ron DeSantis - he is in his second term as Governor of Florida. He will be in the Chicago area to speak with the Fraternal Order of Police. And now he's another quick bullet point in this race.

The leader of Chicago's FOP is named John Catanzara who's made many appearances on FOX News Channel especially after the issues of 2020. He's made some appearances for mayoral candidate Paul Vallas. And as a result the visit to this state by DeSantis has become a point of contention in this race.

Vallas was forced to quickly denounce DeSantis as you will see in the above story by our local FOX affiliate. You can read more about this from the Sun-Times.

Flyers for #Ward09 #ChicagoElections

 So far I haven't received any flyers from Cameron Barnes - whom I could call a very young upstart in this race. However I have two from Cleopatra Draper and three from incumbent Alderman Anthony Beale.

Let's start with Draper. She's hitting the incumbent Alderman Beale over a lack of grocery stores in the area. And I'm sure Beale will note the new grocery store coming to the Altgeld Gardens area and then let's not forget about Walmart which has a grocery section.