Johnson Defeats Greek-American Vallas for Chicago Mayorship

Greek-American Paul Vallas conceded defeat in the early hours of Wednesday in his bid to become the mayor of Chicago. He lost the run-off election to Brandon Johnson, a union organizer and former teacher.

Johnson won 51.4% of the vote while Vallas was on 48.6%.

“It’s critically important that we all come together now and work collaboratively to move our city forward,” Vallas said after conceding defeat.

I called Brandon Johnson a short time ago to congratulate him on winning this election. It’s critically important that we all come together now and work collaboratively to move our city forward. I thank my supporters and team, and especially my family. Thank you, Chicago.

— Paul Vallas (@PaulVallas) April 5, 2023

Johnson’s victory in the nation’s third-largest city capped a remarkable trajectory for a candidate who was little known when he entered the race last year, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

He climbed to the top of the field with organizational and financial help from the politically influential Chicago Teachers Union and high-profile endorsements from progressive Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Johnson, 47, will succeed Lori Lightfoot, the first Black woman and first openly gay person to be the city’s mayor.

Lightfoot became the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose her reelection bid when she finished third in a crowded February contest.

Taking the stage Tuesday night for his victory speech, a jubilant Johnson thanked his supporters for helping usher in “a new chapter in the history of our city.” He promised that under his administration, the city would look out for everyone, regardless of how much money they have, whom they love or where they come from.

“Tonight is the beginning of a Chicago that truly invests in all of its people,” Johnson said, according to AP.

Vallas calls for unity in Chicago

Vallas, speaking to his own supporters Tuesday night, said that he had called Johnson and that he expected him to be the next mayor. Some in the crowd seemed to jeer the news, but Vallas urged them to put aside differences and support the next mayor in “the daunting work ahead.”

“This campaign that I ran to bring the city together would not be a campaign that fulfills my ambitions if this election is going to divide us,” Vallas said.

The Greek-American politician has portrayed Chicago as being in a state of turmoil under Lightfoot’s leadership.

With an endorsement from the local Fraternal Order of Police, he has run an aggressive campaign, arguing that he can make the city safer, calling for bolstering the police force, improving arrest rates for serious crimes, and expanding charter schools.

In 2019, Vallas ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Chicago, coming in ninth out of fourteen candidates in the first round. Afterward, Vallas endorsed Lightfoot in an election runoff election.

In June 2022, Vallas announced his second mayoral candidacy for the 2023 election, challenging Lightfoot.