Tuesday's runoff election for Chicago's new mayor features two leading candidates, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson. A recent poll conducted by Northwestern University's Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy (CSDD) and several nonprofit organizations found that the race is in a dead heat, with Vallas leading by only 32.9%. The election outcome is expected to be decided based on who wins.
Education has become one of the driving local issues in this year’s mayoral race. Other important issues include cultural polarization and crime policies. Johnson, who serves on Cook County Board of Commissioners, has received support from high-profile Illinois Democrats like U.S Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren; while Vallas has received significant funding from charter school advocates.
Vallas is a former schools executive and union organizer who has positioned himself as a law-and-order candidate; he was backed by police union while Johnson was endorsed by teachers union since he was a former teacher himself.
During their debates over six weeks leading up to Tuesday's vote, both candidates sparred over crucial issues such as crime prevention strategies and education policies. However, it became apparent that the main difference between them lies in their political ideologies: progressive left represented by Democratic Party-supported Brandon Johnson versus moderate wing supported Paul Vallas.
Johnson capitalized on comments made years ago about critical race theory made by his opponent which have now come back to haunt him during this campaign season. He also criticized endorsements made toward his opponent from prominent Republicans including Betsy DeVos and Darren Bailey.
Despite these criticisms from his opponents, Paul Vallis earned support from other top leaders within state Democratic Party including U.S Sen. Dick Durbin; former U.N Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; former Illinois Gov Pat Quinn among others.
As election day approaches amidst threats of severe storms looming over polling locations across Chicago area voters will get an opportunity to make their voices heard and decide who will become the next mayor of Chicago.