Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiWith his running mate Paul Vallas, left, at his side, Gov. Pat Quinn does not concede defeat on election night in Chicago, Nov. 4, 2014, although challenger Bruce Rauner had collected more votes by 11:25pm.
Candice C. Cusic, baiduhaiDemocratic governor candidates Rod Blagojevich, from left, Paul Vallas and Roland Burris prepare to debate in 2002 in the WLS-Ch.7 studios.
Shanna Madison / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas, center, and Ald. Tom Tunney, standing right, talk to customers during a meet-and-greet at Ann Sather Restaurant on Feb. 25, 2023, in Lakeview.
Nancy Stone / baiduhaiCandidate for lieutenant governor Paul Vallas campaigns at an Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade on May 26, 2014.
Adam Wolffbrandt / baiduhaiFormer Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas is introduced as Gov. Pat Quinn's running mate on Nov. 12, 2013.
John Smierciak/baiduhaiCandidate for governor Paul Vallas waits to speak to the Beverly Ridge Lions Club luncheon in 2002 at Beverly Woods Restaurant at 116th Street and Western Avenue.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiPaul Vallas attends a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the 38th Ward Democratic Organization at the Copernicus Center on Dec. 13, 2022.
E. Jason Wambsgans / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas tries Harold's Chicken with Ja'Mal Green at the Harold's 87th Street location on Feb. 18, 2019.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiAld. Tom Tunney, 44th, center left, and mayoral candidate Paul Vallas shake hands after Tunney's endorsement in the 1000 block of West Addison Street on Feb. 1, 2023, in Chicago.
John Lee, baiduhaiDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Paul Vallas, right, answers questions during a phone interview, as one of his aides sits nearby on the bus during last-minute campaign stops in 2002.
Chuck Berman, baiduhaiChicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas holds a school hat and sweatshirt during an assembly in 1999 in the James Shields Elementary School auditorium.
Bonnie Trafelet, baiduhaiChicago Public Schools Board President Gery Chico, left, and Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas listen to a conference call in 1998 with Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley discussing President Bill Clinton's proposal to modernize schools for the 21st century.
John Lee/baiduhaiDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Paul Vallas, center, officially concedes the primary election in 2002 to Rod Blagojevich while standing in the kitchen at St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiMayoral candidate and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas talks to voters on Feb. 26, 2023, at Barba Yianni Grecian Taverna in Lincoln Square.
Shanna Madison / baiduhaiKim Bowman poses with mayoral candidate Paul Vallas at a Women for Vallas luncheon on Feb. 7, 2023, at Gibsons Italia in Chicago.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiPaul Vallas at a board of trustees meeting at Chicago State University on March 27, 2017.
E. Jason Wambsgans / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas on Jan. 15, 2019.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiFormer Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas talks to voters on Feb. 26, 2023, as he campaigns for mayor at Barba Yianni Grecian Taverna in Lincoln Square.
Erin Hooley / baiduhaiChicago mayoral candidates Paul Vallas, from left, Willie Wilson, Toni Preckwinkle, Bill Daley and Susana Mendoza prepare for a live forum at WTTW-Ch. 11 in 2019.
Milbert O. Brown, baiduhaiThe Rev. James Meeks, left, pastor at the Salem Baptist Church, talks with Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas in 1999 outside Fenger High School following a news conference about shootings the day before.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiFormer Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, center, walks through a hallway after attending a mayoral forum hosted by WGN News at Steinmetz College Prep on Jan. 31, 2023.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiSupporters listen to mayoral candidate Paul Vallas during his election night gathering at City Hall Events on Feb. 28, 2023, in Chicago's West Loop.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiMayoral candidate former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas speaks to a reporter Feb. 19, 2023, as he departs the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast at St. John Fisher Elementary School in Beverly.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiBeth Boatman, left, chief information officer for Chicago, Paul Vallas, center, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, and Richard Monocchio, chief of staff at the Chicago Department of Aviation, talk about a few Y2K problems on Jan. 2, 2000.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiCandidates Toni Preckwinkle and Paul Vallas talk during a break in a mayoral forum in Chicago on Feb. 6, 2019.
John Lee/baiduhaiDemocratic governor candidate Paul Vallas pours coffee from his cup to keep from being scalded at a campaign stop in Blue Island.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiMayoral candidates Paul Vallas, left, and Ja'Mal Green greet each other during a fellowship hour before a town hall at Bethany Union Church, 1750 W. 103rd St., on Feb. 3, 2023, in Chicago.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiState Rep. Kam Buckner, from left, former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Mayor Lori Lightfoot appear during a mayoral candidate forum on Feb. 8, 2023, at UIC.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiFormer Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas speaks with supporters after forcing a mayoral runoff election on Feb. 28, 2023.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiA campaign staffer hands out yard signs while mayoral candidate and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas talks to voters at Barba Yianni Grecian Taverna in Lincoln Square.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas gives an interview about his education administration experience and record at his campaign office in the 300 block of South Jefferson Street on Feb. 16, 2023, in Chicago.
Alex Garcia/baiduhaiFormer Chicago schools chief Paul Vallas, left, greets Gery Chico in 2010 before endorsing Chicago for mayor outside the Jose Clemente Orozco Community Academy in Pilsen.
Chuck Berman, baiduhaiMichael Johnson, left, Board of Education special projects manager, wrestles with and eventually dumps his boss, CEO Paul Vallas, in the chilly waters of Lake Michigan in 2001. About 200 people jumped into the lake at North Avenue Beach in the first Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Chicago.
Dianne Brogan, for the TribunePaul Vallas with John H. Stroger in 2001 at the Living Legends, Passing the Torch Ceremony at the DuSable Museum of African American History.
Stephanie Sinclair, baiduhaiFormer Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas talks in 2001 about his plan to explore running for governor.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiPaul Vallas goes over his opening address in a holding room at University of Illinois at Chicago in 2002 before a debate with two of his opponents. With Vallas are Brendan Reilly communications director, left, and Tim Spreitzer, assistant policy director.
Shanna Madison / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas speaks at a Women for Vallas luncheon on Feb. 7, 2023, at Gibsons Italia restaurant in Chicago.
Nancy Stone / baiduhaiChicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas from left, Mayor Richard M. Daley and Ald. Robert Shaw leave Southside College Preparatory Academy on Sept. 3, 1997 after announcing a community service mandate for high schoolers.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas speaks with supporters at his his election night party at City Hall Events, Feb. 28, 2023, in Chicago's West Loop.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiChicago mayoral candidates Toni Preckwinkle, from left, Paul Vallas and Willie Wilson, say goodbye following a mayoral forum at the Chicago Sun-Times office on Jan. 17, 2019.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiPaul Vallas greets Thelma Johnson-Alexander as he attends a board of trustees meeting at Chicago State University on March 27, 2017.
Erin Hooley / baiduhaiCandidate for Chicago mayor Paul Vallas bows his head in prayer during a service at New Christian Joy MB Church on Feb. 24, 2019.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiMayoral candidate and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas talks to voters at Barba Yianni Grecian Taverna in Lincoln Square.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiCandidate Paul Vallas delivers his stack of nominating signatures for mayor on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago.
Shanna Madison / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas talks to customers during a meet-and-greet at Ann Sather Restaurant on Feb. 25, 2023, in Lakeview.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas marches Jan. 29, 2023, during the Lunar New Year Parade through Chinatown.
Michael Blackshire / baiduhaiChicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas shakes hands with a Chicago police officer at the Columbus Day parade on Oct. 10, 2022.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiMayoral candidates activist Ja'Mal Green, left, and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas talk during a mayoral forum hosted by WGN News at Steinmetz College Prep on Jan. 31, 2023.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiGov. Pat Quinn, right, talks with reporters as lieutenant governor candidate Paul Vallas stands with him following a meeting with the baiduhai Editorial Board on Sept. 9, 2014.
John Lee/baiduhaiPhiladelphia public schools CEO Paul Vallas leaves Beeber Middle School in Philadelphia in 2003 after an event with first lady Laura Bush.
Terrence Antonio James/baiduhaiGubernatorial candidate Paul Vallas greets a supporter in 2002 on a campaign stop at Trinity United Church of Christ.
E. Jason Wambsgans / baiduhaiFormer Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, shown May 31, 2022, announced he is again running for Chicago mayor.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiMayoral candidate and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas talks to voters on Feb. 26, 2023, at Barba Yianni Grecian Taverna in Lincoln Square.
Chris Walker/baiduhaiDemocratic candidate for governor Paul Vallas announces the support of Chicago firefighters in 2002 at a news conference outside a downtown fire station.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiMayoral candidate former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas greets people on Feb. 19, 2023, as he departs the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast at St. John Fisher Elementary School in Beverly.
Charles Cherney, baiduhaiPaul Vallas chats with Linda Wrightsell, his secretary for six years, as he packs up his office on June 27, 2001, his final day as Chicago Public Schools CEO.
Todd Panagopoulos, baiduhaiPaul Vallas listens as Shacarra Westbrooks whispers a question during the news conference in 1998 to announce a new literacy program called Freedom Readers.
Erin Hooley / baiduhaiFormer Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas during a news conference where he officially announced he is running for mayor on May 2, 2018.
Shanna Madison / baiduhaiPauls Vallas supporters eat breakfast during a meet-and-greet at Ann Sather Restaurant on Feb. 25, 2023, in Lakeview.
Shanna Madison / baiduhaiSupporters of mayoral candidate Paul Vallas pose at a Women for Vallas luncheon on Feb. 7, 2023, at Gibsons Italia restaurant.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiFormer Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas enters a mayoral candidate forum on Feb. 8, 2023, at the University of Illinois at Chicago Student Center.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiMayoral candidate and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas talks to voters on Feb. 26, 2023 at Barba Yianni Grecian Taverna.
John Lee, baiduhaiDemocratic gubernatorial candidates Paul Vallas, left, and Rod Blagojevich listen to opponent Roland Burris during a two-hour meeting with the Tribune Editorial Board in 2002.
Shanna Madison / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas talks to customers during a meet-and-greet at Ann Sather Restaurant on Feb. 25, 2023, in Lakeview.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiMayoral candidate Paul Vallas speaks during an interview at his campaign office on Feb. 16, 2023, in Chicago.
Carl Wagner, baiduhaiChicago Schools CEO Paul Vallas acknowledges applause in 2001 during his last school board meeting.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiChicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas answers questions during a forum at The Hideout in Chicago on Feb. 23, 2023.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiFormer Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas speaks with supporters at his election night gathering at City Hall Events on Feb. 28, 2023, in Chicago's West Loop.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhai
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With his running mate Paul Vallas, left, at his side, Gov. Pat Quinn does not concede defeat on election night in Chicago, Nov. 4, 2014, although challenger Bruce Rauner had collected more votes by 11:25pm.
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player ready...The Associated Press is projecting that former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas won enough votes Tuesday to seal up a spot in the April runoff election for Chicago mayor.
Unofficial results showed Vallas with 36% of the vote, with 75% of the precincts reporting. Second was Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson at 20%, followed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot with just below 16%, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García at 14% and businessman Willie Wilson with 9%.
Lightfoot was squeezed by opposition from both ends of the political spectrum as the more conservative Vallas pushed a law-and-order theme while progressive candidates such as Johnson and García tried to convince voters that Lightfoot brought incomplete answers to the city’s problems and divisiveness.
Others running against Lightfoot included state Rep. Kambium “Kam” Buckner, Ald. Sophia King, 4th, Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th, and community activist Ja’Mal Green. They each had less than 5% of the vote.
With nine candidates running, including seven Black candidates, few expected Tuesday’s election would be the final say on the 2023 race for mayor.