Candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson continue to compete for endorsements from city political leaders as the election nears, with the first forum of the mayoral runoff campaign now behind them.
Out of a field of nine candidates, including the incumbent Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, Vallas and Johnson were selected to participate in the runoff election. The most recent information from the Chicago Board of Elections shows that Johnson won 21.57 percent of the first-round vote, while Vallas got 33 percent of the vote.
In spite of the fact that more than half of the members of the Chicago City Council gave their endorsements in the first round of this year’s mayoral election, many of them are now being wooed by the two remaining candidates, who are both trying to build support for themselves.
The first-place finisher in last week’s election, Vallas, had the backing of both Far Northwest Side Ald and downtown City Council members Brendan Reilly and Brian Hopkins before the runoff. Ald. Anthony Napolitano and Lakeview for a long time Tunney Tom
Vallas has also received endorsements from Jesse White, a former Illinois Secretary of State, and Ald. 6th Ward, a former mayoral candidate. Roderick Sawyer, the previous of whom moved Lightfoot in the principal round.
Concerning Johnson, supports from the Chicago Educators Association, Joined Working Families and a few moderate City Committee individuals moved his mission to unmistakable quality and in the end a runner up finish in the primary round of the mayoral political race.
Since then, Johnson has received endorsements from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Congressman Danny Davis, consolidating support from the majority of the city’s left-of-center political elite.
The two candidates, who are attempting to forge a broad coalition that will likely be required to win the runoff on April 4, may benefit greatly from endorsements.
The Organizations That Are Included in This Guide: The Chicago Teachers Union is the organization that represents more than 25,000 educators in the city.
The International Union of Elevator Constructors is a union that represents over 25,000 people who work in the industry of building, updating, and fixing elevators.
The healthcare, child care, home care, and nursing home workers in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas are represented by the SEIU Healthcare union.
According to its website, SEIU Local 1 represents more than 50,000 workers in the Midwest, including janitors, security guards, airport workers, food service workers, and others. According to a press release, the union splits its endorsements between the Illinois State Council and the local chapter, and we have noted which union division endorsed which candidate.
More than 31,000 workers are represented by SEIU Local 73, primarily in public service and publicly funded positions. It claims to select candidates who “best support working families’ issues” for endorsement.
-The Sierra Club Illinois Chapter is the state chapter of the national environmental advocacy organization that works to expand environmental protections and promote sustainable practices.
-Equality Illinois, formerly known as the Illinois Federation for Human Rights, is the state’s oldest LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy group.
The Illinois Nurses Association is a group that “advocates for all of nursing” and works to make nursing more important in decisions about laws and regulations.
According to its website, United Working Families is a group that is “dedicated to building people-powered infrastructure and campaigns.” Some of its goals include advocating for high-paying jobs, high-quality public education, and affordable housing.
Commissioner Brandon Johnson of Cook County:
Alds. U.S. Representatives Pat Dowell, Maria Hadden, Daniel LaSpata, Matt Martin, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Rossana Rodrguez-Sanchez, Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Jeanette Taylor, and Andre Vasquez (who supported Garca in the first round) State Reps. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Jonathan Jackson, Delia Ramirez, Danny Davis (who endorsed Lightfoot in the first round), and Jan Schakowsky (who endorsed Garca in the first round) Will Guzzardi, Lakesia Collins, Mary Flowers, Kelly Cassidy, Rep. Lilian Jimenez, and Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita endorsed Lightfoot in the first round. Toni Preckwinkle is the president of the Cook County Board. Illinois Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, Chicago Teachers Union, SEIU Local 73, SEIU Local 1, SEIU Healthcare, United Working Families, Sierra Club Illinois Chapter, Equality Illinois (which backed Lightfoot in the first round), and Illinois Nurses Association Paul Vallas Alds are a few of the organizations that support this candidate. (who endorsed Lightfoot in the first round), Roderick Sawyer (who endorsed Lightfoot in the first round), Willie Wilson (a businessman and former mayoral candidate), Gery Chico (another mayoral candidate), and the former Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education Groups/Unions: LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 2, Chicago Chapter of FOP.
