African American Politics, Black Politics, Black Vote, African American Vote, Lori Lightfoot, Toni Preckwinkle, KOLUMN Magazine, KOLUMN, WRIIT,

No matter who wins the runoff election, Chicago will elect its first black woman mayor | CNN

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No matter who wins the runoff election, Chicago will elect its first black woman mayor | CNN

[dropcap]CNN[/dropcap] Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle have emerged from a crowded field of candidates to move on to a runoff in Chicago’s mayoral race, meaning the Windy City will elect its first black woman mayor in city history this spring. [mc4wp_form id=”6042″]

Lightfoot had won 17.48% of the vote and Preckwinkle had 15.96% with 95% of precincts reporting, according to the Board of Election Commissioners for Chicago.

The two will meet in a runoff set for April 2, according to CNN affiliate WBBM. The winner will replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who decided against running for re-election.

Lightfoot, a former assistant US Attorney, describes herself as “an out and proud black lesbian” and has made reforming the police department a bedrock of her campaign.