The first-ever mayoral run-off election in Chicago history, held April 7, resulted in Rahm Emanuel getting to keep his job for another four years.
The results were decisive: Emanuel placed ahead of his opponent, Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, with 56 percent of the vote. Garcia, with the majority of votes counted, had 44 percent.
Emanuel is preparing his victory speech from his election night headquarters at Chicago Plumbers Hall, while Garcia will give his concession speech at the UIC Forum.
The runoff was a difficult race for both candidates, as they addressed complicated questions about the city's crime rates, finances and economic growth, among other issues. Emanuel faced criticism for not only his policy decisions, but his close personal ties to city financial interests and brash personality as well. Shortly after the February election, he released a commercial acknowledging his reputation where he admitted, "I own that." Garcia, meanwhile, had to defend himself from critics who charged he lacked solid and realistic plans to actually implement his ideas.
Emanuel and Garcia each had support from members of the city's LGBT community. Emanuel, for example, was endorsed in both the regular and runoff elections by Equality Illinois PAC. Garcia meanwhile had support from a number of progressive advocates. He released an extensive LGBT platform and promised that his administration would devote attention to trans and youth homelessness issues, as well as restoring a city LGBT liaison position.