2023 Chicago mayoral election

An election for Mayor of Chicago was held on February 28, 2023. Since neither candidate achieved a majority of votes, a runoff election was held on April 4, 2023. Mayor Lori Lightfoot ran for a second term in office since there are no term limits for the office, however lost in the first round of the election, becoming the first one-term Chicago mayor in 40 years.

The runoff was between Paul Vallas, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, and Brandon Johnson, a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

The election is officially non-partisan, with its winner being elected to a four-year term.

Brandon Johnson defeated Paul Vallas in the runoff election, winning 51% of the vote.

Candidates
Run-off candidates
 Brandon Johnson, Cook County commissioner for the 1st District since 2018
 Paul Vallas, former Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools, candidate for Governor in 2002, and candidate for Mayor in 2019

Candidates eliminated in the first round
 Kam Buckner, state representative since 2019Kam Buckner launches campaign for Chicago mayor - WBEZ Chicago
 Frederick Collins, CPD officer
 Chuy Garcia, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 4th congressional district since 2019 and runner-up for mayor in 2015
 Ja'Mal Green, marketing executive, community activist, and candidate for mayor in 2019
 Sophia King, Chicago City Council member for the 4th ward since 2016
 Lori Lightfoot, incumbent Mayor since 2019
 Roderick Sawyer, Chicago alderman for the 6th ward since 2011
 Willie Wilson, businessman, candidate for mayor of Chicago in 2015 and 2019, for President of the United States in 2016, for United States Senator in 2020

Withdrawn
 John Catanzara, Union President of Lodge 7 of the Fraternal Order of Police
 Raymond Lopez, member of the Chicago City Council from the 15th ward since 2015 (running for reelection)

 Declined 
 Arne Duncan, former United States Secretary of Education (2009–2016) and Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools (2001–2009)
 Brian Hopkins, Chicago City Council member from the 2nd Ward (2015–present)
 Janice Jackson, former Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools
 Tom Tunney, Chicago City Council member from the 44th Ward (2003–present) and vice-mayor (2019–present)
 Mike Quigley, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 5th congressional district since 2009
 Pat Quinn, former Governor of Illinois (2009–2015)
 Anna Valencia, Chicago City Clerk since 2017 and candidate for Illinois Secretary of State in 2022 (running for re-election)

Polling

 Pollster Pollster'sratingfrom538 Poll sponsor Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BrandonJohnson PaulVallas UndecidedVictory ResearchB/CMarch 31–April 2, 2023900 (LV)± 3.27%45.4%49.6%5%Emerson A-March 23–25, 20231000 (LV)± 3%40.6%46.3%13%BSP ResearchB/CMarch 15–23, 20231500 (LV)± 2.8%44%44%12%Victory ResearchB/CMarch 20–23, 2023806 (LV)± 3.45%44.2%46.3%10%IZQ StrategiesMarch 15–16, 2023680 (LV)± 4%46%44%10% Victory Research B/C  March 6–9, 2023 806 (LV)± 3.45% 39.1%44.9% 16% Lake Research Partners A/B Johnson campaign March 2–7, 2023 800 (LV)± 3.46%45% 40% 14% 1983 Labs   March 2–6, 2023 583 (RV)± 4.06% 32.47%43.52% 24.01%  Vallas campaign March 1–6, 2023 800 (LV)± 3.5% 38%47% 15% 1983 Labs  February 22–25, 20231,458 (RV)± 2.57% 30.75%44.13% 25.12% Victory Research B/C February 12–15, 2023806 (LV)± 3.45% 32.6%46.0% 21.3% Mason–Dixon B/C January 31–February 3, 2023625 (RV)± 4%39%38%

Notes

References

Mayoral election 2023
Category:2023 in Illinois
Category:Mayoral elections in Chicago
Category:2023 elections
Category:February 2023 events
Category:April 2023 events