Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson will face off in the April mayoral runoff election after Lori Lightfoot called Johnson to concede Tuesday night.

Lightfoot was polling in third place behind Johnson with Jesus "Chuy" Garcia in fourth place. Her campaign confirmed to ABC7 that she called the Johnson campaign to concede shortly before addressing supporters at about 8:40 p.m.

Since no one candidate got 50% of the vote, voters will return to the polls for a runoff between the top two vote-getters on April 4.

Vallas has been a candidate before, but this is the first time he has ever won an election. He placed ninth out of 14 candidates four years ago when Lightfoot was elected.

Other candidates painted him as a Republican in Democrat clothing, but addressing supporters Tuesday night he said he's a life-long pro-choice Democrat.

"I would like to thank you all, old friends and new, for joining this campaign," Vallas told his supporters at the Fulton Market event space City Hall. "It is because of you we are in the second round."

Vallas is the son of Greek immigrants, and said he comes from a family of teachers, police officers and firefighters. While his background and expertise is in education, he made his campaign about public safety and was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Johnson experienced a surge in recent polls and finished second to qualify for the runoff. A former teacher, Chicago Teachers Union Organizer and current Cook County commissioner, he didn't have name recognition but he did have extensive connections.

Johnson grew up on the West Side and lives in Austin, and has strong connections with the CTU and teachers across the city. He is one of 10 children, the son and grandson of ministers and is a father of four.

After advancing, he thanked his family, his supporters and the other candidates for their public service, though he wasted no time going after Vallas.


Tonight is about building a Chicago that truly invests in our people," he told supporters. "You know, the most radical thing we can do as a city is to love the people of Chicago."

Four years ago, Lightfoot made history as the first Black woman and openly gay candidate to win the mayor's office. Her term was marked by a contentious relationship with the Chicago City Council and unions from the CTU to the FOP. Tonight she made history again, becoming the first elected incumbent in 40 years to not win a second term.

Lightfoot addressed supporters somberly, but not without pride.

Obviously we didn't win the election today, but I stand here with my head held high and a heart full of gratitude," she said.

She told supporters she was proud of her accomplishments, especially Invest Southwest which has brought investment and opportunity to underserved communities on the South and West Sides, and sad it must continue. She also said she is rooting for whoever takes the mayor's office next.

Ahead of Election Day, a record 244,000 early vote were cast. More than 1/3 of