14 candidates vie to become Chicago's next mayor
Ice builds up along the shore of Lake Michigan as temperatures during the past two days have dipped to lows around -20 degrees on January 31, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO (AP) - CHICAGO (AP) - The race to succeed Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has attracted a diverse group of candidates, including businesspeople, a former federal prosecutor, an ex-police superintendent, veteran politicians and community activists. The election will take place Feb. 26. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off April 2.
Here are snapshots of the candidates:
GERY CHICO
A lawyer who has held the top position at several Chicago government agencies, including the Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Park District. He ran against Emanuel in 2011 and was a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2004.
WILLIAM DALEY
Son of the legendary Mayor Richard J. Daley and the brother of former Mayor Richard M. Daley. He was Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton and chief of Staff for President Barack Obama.
AMARA ENYIA
The director of a neighborhood chamber of commerce has a law degree and a doctorate in education policy. She is one of six children. Her parents emigrated from Nigeria.
BOB FIORETTI
The civil rights lawyer and former two-term alderman failed in a 2015 attempt to unseat Emanuel and a 2018 run against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
LASHAWN FORD
The former Chicago Public Schools teacher and real estate developer has represented his Illinois House district since 2006. He was sentenced to six months of probation in 2014 for failing to pay federal taxes after a judge determined his actions were a result of sloppy bookkeeping.
JEREMIAH JOYCE JR.
The lawyer and former assistant state's attorney is the son of a former alderman and state senator.
JOHN KOZLAR
The lawyer who works for the global professional services firm Aon has made two failed efforts for a seat on the City Council.
LORI LIGHTFOOT
The former assistant U.S. attorney and former Chicago Police Board president co-chaired a panel to come up with recommended reforms of the city's police department after the fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald by a police officer.
GARRY MCCARTHY
The former superintendent of the Chicago Police Department was fired after a video of McDonald's slaying was released.
SUSANA MENDOZA
The Illinois comptroller won election to the city clerk's office twice and spent about 10 years in the Illinois House of Representatives.
TONI PRECKWINKLE
The Cook County Board of Commissioners president previously served 19 years on the City Council and was a Chicago Public Schools teacher.
NEAL SALES-GRIFFIN
A political novice who teaches at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, and serves as CEO for CodeNow.org, a New York-based nonprofit that teaches coding to teens.
PAUL VALLAS
Former Chicago Public Schools and School District of Philadelphia CEO; and former superintendent of the Bridgeport Public Schools and the Recovery School District of Louisiana.
WILLIE WILSON
The owner of a medical supply company and former owner of several McDonald's franchises is making a second run at the mayor's office.