Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot | Lori Lightfoot/Facebook
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot | Lori Lightfoot/Facebook
Incumbent Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot repeatedly sparred with her challengers as she defended her record on crime during a recent candidate debate.
During the campaign, crime has proven to be a hot-button issue; a recent Chicago Tribune report said. Lightfoot has often been on the defensive as she pointed out that she is the one person currently working to tackle the issue and keep the Windy City’s streets safe while her opponents try to politicize the issue. She also defended police Superintendent David Brown.
“David Brown has been through hell and back as we all have,” Lightfoot said in the report. “He is, in this moment, leading our department and I stand by him.”
A key moment in the debate occurred when Lightfoot labeled U.S. Rep Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL 4th Dist.), a progressive-leaning congressmen from the city’s southwest section, as a Defund the Police backer.
“This man is a (police) defunder, pure and simple,” Lightfoot said in the report. “Don’t let him fool you.”
The WCPT event was split into two parts, with Lightfoot and Garcia joined by Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson and Willie Wilson speaking during the first half of the debate.
Taking the podium during the second portion of the debate were State Rep. Kambium “Kam” Buckner (D-Chicago), 4th Ward Alderman Sophia King, 6th Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer, and activist Ja’Mal Green.
During the forum, candidates fielded questions on some of the key issues in the state, the report said.
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