Who is Worthy of Your Mayoral Vote?

What’s Going on with the Chicago Mayoral Race….

Well, we know one thing . . . Chicago’s Mayoral race is crowded and top-heavy with African Americans. So, what does it really mean? Why are all these people really running? For some it’s a real endeavor to achieve, others have different reasons. What’s your sense of it all and have you already decided on your choice?

There are officially nine candidates, seven of which are Black. Let’s look at the other two candidates before getting into that observation. So, there’s Paul Vallas whom Chicago is well acquainted. He has had stints in the public sector that gives him an A in experience. He’s managed big budgets and seems to have a foundational management understanding of politics and the arena that requires an in-depth understanding of how to navigate. His report card with Chicago is reflected vis his work as Director of the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commissions, Chicago City, CEO at Chicago Public Schools, Chief Administrator at Chicago State University, and other such positions throughout the country. Go to his website and search the web to investigate for yourself and conclude for yourself what you think.

Then there is Chuy Garcia, serving as the U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 4th District since 2019. As a Democrat, he’s served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, as well as in the Illinois Senate and on the Chicago City Council before his election to Congress. This is his second run for Mayor of Chicago. Rep. Garcia speaks strongly of his tie to the late great Mayor Harold Washington whom he considered a mentor and role model. He speaks often of supporting the equity pursuit that Washington put in place.

Next, is Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who leads the pack of the Black Candidate as the incumbent. How challenging her term has been; riddled by a city encumbered and bruised by the ongoing crime growth and more importantly by the COVID-19 pandemic that only made her task as city leader even more difficult to navigate. She is prepared to provide statistics that support crime improvement. But is it enough? For the record, she has done much in her pursuit of equity across the board, pouring money and opportunities into the south and west sides, arts and cultural lifeline. This show of consciousness is huge but it’s up to you to dig in and check her accomplishment record, then decide if she’s worthy of your vote.

Familiar candidate, successful business owner, and philanthropist Willie Wilson has come back like an ever-ready battery. He ran in the 2015 and 2019 Chicago Mayoral elections, the 2016 United States Presidential election, and for the United States Senate in 2020. He is running for Mayor of Chicago marking his third effort to seek the office. So, is it that he believes in his platform that according to him, will transform Chicago into a city reflective of equity across the board and refuses to quit trying? What other ulterior motive could he have? You research and come to your own conclusion.

Alderperson, Roderick Sawyer, comes to the table as having been home fed on quality politics having grown up under his father’s (Mayor Eugene Sawyer) guidance and other strong politicians like Mayor Harold Washington. He professes to be the mayoral candidate that has the most current and relative city

Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief

government experience regarding city issues that the city faces. His successes are recorded on his website and include Safety Reform, Public Schools’ advancement and a better improved CTA. He believes in family, community and city. His commitment to change is solid, but is he ready to manage the elephant in the city?

Cook County Commissioner and former teacher Brandon Johnson is recognized by his competition as the dark horse that many are looking at and so they have all chosen to eliminate him. But will it work? His fresh look at politics and lack of political baggage is at once his strength and his weakness. He brings hope with a vision of a different kind of future for Chicago which has yet to really be free of the Richard J. Daley machine whose roots still have life. With former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Michael Madigan gone and Chicago Alderperson Ed Burke gone, what’s the future for Chicago led by a visionary? Alderperson Sophia King is smart, savvy, youthful and likable with enough experience under her belt to be considered. She supports public safety, education, jobs, and economic development improvement. Read her website to see how she intends to execute her vision. The questions are what political battles has she faced that inform the city that she’s ready to take on the heavy lift that is required of its Mayor?

Community activist Ja’Mal Green. No doubt is a young man on the move. He is informed and optimistic. He has been noted for his vocal outcry in pushing Chicago police accountability since the murder of Laquan McDonald in 2014 and has been a fierce critic of Mayor Lightfoot. Green also ran for mayor in 2019. Green says, “I believe that Chicago needs a movement of hope to help it reach its potential of being the greatest city in the world.” It’s a great soundbite but what’s the plan . . . and experience for such a job as Mayor of Chicago?

Illinois State Representative since 2019, Kam Bucker spouts a 4 Star Plan to build a foundation for a brighter future. The rhetoric is familiar: reforming broken systems, empowering communities, and giving voice to the issues that matter most from those who have not had a seat at the table. But how does he intend to execute it?

You know the drill do your homework and research the track record of all the candidates . . . then cast your vote.