Chicago's Mayoral Election: Spending, Outreach, and Violence

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas outspent Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson by a nearly 2-to-1 margin leading up to Vallas losing in April in the race to become Chicago’s next mayor. Vallas raised $18 million and spent nearly $17 million of it en route to a 52% to 48% loss to Johnson, according to recently filed state campaign finance records. Johnson, meanwhile, raised $8.6 million and spent $9.3 million, with most of his money coming from progressive labor groups tied to the Chicago Teachers Union or the Service Employees International Union.