Headline RoundupMarch 1st, 2023

Lori Lightfoot Loses Reelection in Chicago Mayoral Race

Summary from AllSides News Team

Incumbent Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her reelection bid Tuesday night after one term in office, as her two challengers advance to a runoff race.

The Details: Lightfoot came in third with 16.6% of the vote. Former CEO of Chicago Public Schools Paul Vallas received 35% of the vote, and Cook County commissioner Brandon Johnson received 20.3%. Since no candidate received more than 50%, a runoff election will be held between the Johnson and Vallas on April 4

For Context: Lightfoot is the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose reelection. Her approval rating fell consistently during her time in office, as violent crime in Chicago spiked and the city's school system struggled to recover from COVID-19 lockdowns.

Key Quotes: Lightfoot conceded Tuesday night, and said she's "rooting and praying for our next mayor to deliver for the people of the city for years to come."

How the Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum highlighted the news as a top story Wednesday morning, and many highlighted the public's disapproval of Lightfoot's handling of crime. Some showed bias in how they described her management of COVID-19. National Review said Lightfoot's tenure was "marked by backlash to Covid restrictions and concerns over rampant crime." NBC News said Lightfoot "was at times lauded for her handling of the pandemic but saw violent riots in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis."

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