Chicago polls close in city's mayoral election
CHICAGO (AP) - The polls have closed in Chicago, where voters are choosing the next mayor from a field of 14 candidates promising to steer the city in a new direction.
Chicago election officials say turnout for Tuesday's election has been low despite the record number of candidates seeking to succeed Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who decided against running for a third term.
Chicago Board of Election spokesman Jim Allen says the low turnout is surprising considering the race is a hotly contested one, with polls showing at least three candidates with nearly equal support among voters.
If none receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off April 2.
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Voters are getting a chance to pick Chicago's next mayor from a field of 14 candidates promising to steer the city in a new direction.
Those looking to succeed retiring Mayor Rahm Emanuel include veteran politicians -- a couple whose fathers also held elective office -- businessmen, former prosecutors and community activists.
It's likely Tuesday's vote will lead to a runoff. If none of the candidates receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off April 2.
Candidates on the ballot are:
- Gery Chico, former Chair of the State Board of Education
- Bill Daley, former White House Chief of Staff
- Amara Enyia, community activist
- Bob Fioretti, former 2nd Ward alderman
- LaShawn Ford, State representative
- Neal Sáles-Griffin, tech entrepreneur
- Jerry Joyce, southwest side attorney
- John Kozlar, 11th Ward aldermanic candidate
- Lori Lightfoot, former president of the Chicago Police Board
- Garry McCarthy, former CPD Superintendent
- Susana Mendoza, Illinois Comptroller
- Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President
- Paul Vallas, former Chicago Public Schools CEO
- Willie Wilson, businessman
The variety of candidates reflects the many issues facing Chicago's next mayor: poor neighborhoods in need of investment, overwhelming pension debt, low-performing public schools and a crime rate that is often pointed to as among the nation's worst.
Although a nonpartisan election, most of the candidates have links to the Democratic Party. The Republican Party has virtually disappeared from the city.