Claim: Independent candidate John Patrick Hopkins won the Chicago mayoral special election of 1893 with a narrow margin of victory against Republican  George Bell Swift following the assassination of Mayor Carter Harrison Sr.
Evidence: Hopkins was elected the 1893 Chicago mayoral special election, held after the assassination of mayor Carter Harrison Sr. In the election, which was held December 19, Hopkins narrowly defeated Swift by a half-percent margin. Following Harrison's death, Republican George Bell Swift had been appointed by City Council to serve as mayor until the special election could be held.