Poll shows Lightfoot with strong momentum ahead of runoff

Chicago, IL - Lori Lightfoot is charging ahead with a little less than a month until the April 2 runoff election for Chicago mayor.

Lightfoot's historic candidacy as the first-ever openly queer person to run for mayor of Chicago came out of nowhere to finish first in the field of 14 mayoral candidates.

"That is a significant milestone in Chicago and Illinois history," said Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson. "Representation matters."

Lightfoot has seen increased enthusiasm around her campaign since the municipal election.

A new poll by the Stand for Children IL PAC found 58 percent of voters backed Lightfoot. 30 percent supported her opponent, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and 12 percent remain undecided.

Both candidates are viewed favorably by a majority of voters in the poll, but more than one-third have an unfavorable opinion of Preckwinkle (37%).

The poll, conducted February 27-28, included 400 likely Chicago voters.

Preckwinkle, with what the Chicago Sun-Times called high negatives and residual anger about the now-repealed sweetened beverage tax, has gone on the defensive with attack ads focusing on Lightfoot's career as a former corporate lawyer.

Preckwinkle is also courting the endorsement of millionaire businessman Willie Wilson, who has a conservative, church-based constituency. The fact Lightfoot is a lesbian with a chance to become Chicago's first openly gay mayor does not play well with those voters, Wilson told the Sun-Times.

Preckwinkle's campaign said she has been an "unwavering ally to the LGTBQ community" for 30 years.