Lori Lightfoot made history on April 2, 2019 when she became the first openly gay black woman to be elected mayor of Chicago. A political newcomer, her progressive policies, personal history and status as an outsider appealed to voters.
When Lightfoot first entered the mayoral race, many considered her a fringe candidate. The 56-year-old had never held elected office, and was going up against political heavyweights such as her main opponent, Illinois’ Cook County board president and Democratic Party chairman Toni Preckwinkle.