African-American gay woman is Chicago mayor in historic vote

In a historic first, a gay African American woman was elected mayor of Americas third largest city, Chicago on April 2, as voters entrusted a political novice with tackling difficult problems of economic inequality and gun violence.

Lori Lightfoot, a 56-year-old former federal prosecutor and practicing lawyer who has never before held elected office, was elected the mid-western city’s mayor in a lopsided victory.
She beat out Toni Preckwinkle, who is also an African American woman, by a wide margin of 74 to 26 per cent in early voting results with most ballots counted.

Lightfoot will become Chicagos first openly gay mayor and the first African American woman to hold the post. Since 1837, Chicago voters have elected only one black mayor and one female mayor.

History made

Preckwinkle is the chief executive of Cook County where Chicago is based, which analysts said worked against her during a change election as voters sought to shake up city hall.
“People (are) hoping for something different to come along. To be the vessel for that is overwhelming,” Lightfoot told reporters earlier after the polls opened.

Voters had left little doubt they want the next mayor to tackle major issues vexing the city of 2.7 million people, especially economic disparities and gun violence that claims more lives than in other major American cities.

More than 550 people were killed in Chicago last year due to gang violence often fueled by the drug trade, most in economically-struggling and majority African American neighborhoods.  a historic first, a gay African American woman was elected mayor of Americas third largest city, Chicago on April 2, as voters entrusted a political novice with tackling difficult problems of economic inequality and gun violence.