Chicago mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot is hitting airwaves with a new ad that recounts her campaign’s call for change, as she moves toward her April 2 electoral showdown with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Based on footage from the attorney’s election night speech, Lightfoot’s 30-second video spotlights her comments about city residents’ struggles with rising rents, underfunded neighborhood schools and gun violence.
“I know, on a deeply personal level, that we need change,” Lightfoot says.
“This election is about demanding an independent, accountable City Hall that serves the people, not the political machine.”
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Lightfoot’s camp shared the video on social media Friday afternoon, including links that sent viewers to a campaign donation site.
Lightfoot was the top vote-getter in Tuesday’s mayoral election, but faces a money disadvantage compared to a better-financed rival who also carries the support of influential city labor unions.
In the first round of the mayor’s race, Preckwinkle raised $4.6 million to Lightfoot’s $1.5 million, thanks to heavy contributions from the Service Employees International Union and the Chicago Teachers Union and its national parent union. Preckwinkle also was thought to have the stronger ground game thanks to the union support.
Preckwinkle and Lightfoot already have begun to attack each other since Tuesday’s primary amid email blasts to potential donors for campaign contributions.
The ad will hit television airwaves through Monday with an initial $117,000 buy, a Lightfoot campaign spokeswoman said. The campaign also will promote the video through digital platforms.
Twitter @PerezJr