In an election that was already decided by 8:30 p.m., Rahm Emanuel won a mayoral race so decisively Feb. 22 that there will be no runoff.
The election was groundbreaking because, for the first time in 22 years, no one named Daley was on the ballot. Also, for the first time in more than six decades, a sitting mayor did not run.
With 89 percent of precincts reporting at that time, Emanuel had 55 percent of the vote, with Gery Chico a distinct second at 24 percent. City Clerk Miguel del Valle had 9.4 percent and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun was at 8.7 percent.
Heading into election day, Emanuel was cautiously optimistic, saying at one point that "two bites of the apple" ( meaning a runoff vote ) might be necessary. The winner needed 50 percent of the votes plus one in order to avoid a runoff.
During his victory speech, Emanuel said, "It's easy to find differences, but we can never allow them to become divisions. … I am more convinced than ever that we can meet the challenges before us, because of you [ the citizens of Chicago ] ."
Among the people Emanuel mentioned in his speech were President Obama, Mayor Richard Daley—and Robert Kohl, an openly gay man who was among his campaign leaders and who was part of the LGBT group that formed to support Emanuel.
Opponent Carol Moseley Braun conceded early. According to the Chicago Tribune, she said, "I believe that hope flames eternal. We will continue to try to inspire people, to get them engaged in government. … I wish the victor in this race all the success in the taking of the reins of government."
Chico also gave a concession speech: "We've elected a mayor tonight. I want with all of my heart for Rahm Emanuel to be successful as mayor. We need that, ladies and gentlemen."
During an interview with Windy City Times that ran in the Dec. 15, 2010, issue, Emanuel said, "I'm determined to get things done, but it's what motivates me. [ I don't want ] to drive just to drive. Whether it was passing the assault-weapon ban; creating the kids' healthcare bill and the insurance companies were trying to block it; [ or ] passing welfare reform—I fight for things that I believe in, not just to fight for. And I think what people don't see is where the motivation comes from and what drives that. So I got the hard image, but it's on behalf of a set of people for something I think improves their lives."
Emanuel will be sworn in May 16.
Also, state Rep. Susana Mendoza became the first female to be elected city clerk. She will succeed del Valle.
Aldermanic races
Although the mayoral race received most of the media coverage, aldermanic races were held as well. These races were particularly historic as well, as 11 aldermen—including incumbents such as Helen Shiller of the 46th Ward and Mary Ann Smith of the 48th Ward—stepped down, making way for a drastically revamped city council.
The race to replace Shiller was one of three in Chicago to feature at least 10 candidates—and three in this particular race ( Emily Stewart, Don Nowotny and James Cappleman ) are openly gay. Although Stewart had the backing of the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, Cappleman ( at 19.81 percent, with 98 percent of votes counted ) and Molly Phelan ( at 19.73 percent ) appeared headed an April 5 runoff. ( Runoffs involve the top two candidates in each race. )
In the 48th Ward, state Rep. Harry Osterman easily outdistanced his opponents, including openly gay paramedic Jose Arteaga.
In the 43rd Ward, with 88 percent of the votes in, Michele Smith had 37.66 percent of the vote while Tim Egan had 28.44 percent, sending those two into a runoff.
Openly gay Ald. Tom Tunney was unopposed in the 44th Ward ( which includes Boys Town ) , ensuring another term.
In the 47th Ward, a mild upset appeared to be in the works. With 98 percent of the votes counted, Ameya Pawar had 50.77 percent of the vote while retiring Ald. Eugene Schulter's ally Tom O'Donnell had 43.51 percent. ( The other two candidates, Matt Reichel and Tom Jacks, had about 6 percent combined. )
Ald. Joe Moore easily retained his seat in the 49th Ward, leading challenger Brian White 72 percent to 28 percent with 90 percent of the votes counted.
In the 50th Ward, longtime Ald. Bernie Stone is seemingly headed for a runoff. With 85 percent of the votes in, Stone led a five-candidate field with 37 percent, but Debra Silverstein was close behind with 33 percent.
Also, in the 25th Ward, Ald. Scott Waguespack easily retained his seat in a race that was expected to be much closer. With 98 percent of the vote counted, Waguespack had 66 percent of the vote; runner-up David Pavlik had 18 percent.
