The city of Chicago created history today by electing its first gay, African American woman as its mayor. The voters chose a political novice with tackling difficult problems of economic inequality and gun violence.
Lori Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor 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.
Lori Lightfoot is a 56-year-old practicing lawyer who has never before held elected office. She was elected the midwestern city's mayor in a lopsided victory.
In her victory speech Lightfoot said, "Out there tonight, a lot of little girls and boys are watching. They are watching us and they are seeing the beginning of something, well, a little bit different. They are seeing a city reborn. A city where it doesn't matter what color you are . . . where it doesn't matter who you love, just as long as you love."
Since 1837, Chicago voters have elected only one black mayor and one female mayor. With Lightfoot being elected, she will become Chicago's first openly gay mayor and the first African American woman to hold the post.
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Other problems of Chicago city include unfunded pension obligations and political corruption. Lightfoot will succeed mayor Rahm Emanuel who said he doesn't seek a third term as mayor.
Both Perckwinkle and Lightfoot held similar views on most issues and both called themselves progressives. 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 fuelled by the drug trade — most in economically-struggling and majority African American neighbourhoods.