2011 Chicago mayoral election

The city of Chicago, Illinois held a nonpartisan mayoral election on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. Incumbent Mayor Richard Michael Daley, a member of the Democratic Party who had been in office since 1989, did not seek a seventh term as mayor.[3] This was the first non-special election since 1947 in which an incumbent mayor of Chicago did not seek reelection.[4]

2011 Chicago mayoral election

← 2007 February 22, 2011 2015 →
Turnout41.99%[1][2] Increase 9.55 pp
 
Candidate Rahm Emanuel Gery Chico
Popular vote 326,331 141,228
Percentage 55.27% 23.92%

 
Candidate Miguel del Valle Carol Moseley Braun
Popular vote 54,689 53,062
Percentage 9.26% 8.99%

Results by ward:

Emanuel:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Chico:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Mayor before election

Richard M. Daley

Elected Mayor

Rahm Emanuel

Candidates needed to collect 12,500 petition signatures by November 22, 2010, to qualify for a place on the ballot.[5] April 5, 2011 was scheduled to be a runoff election date if no candidate received an absolute majority.[6][7]

Rahm Emanuel won the race for mayor with more than 55% of the vote.[8] He was inaugurated on May 16, 2011.[9]

The election saw what was, at the time, the most candidates running on the ballot of any Chicago mayoral election since 1919. This would be surpassed by the 2019 Chicago mayoral election.

Candidates

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Nominating petitions were filed for 20 candidates in November 2010.[10] In the initial review of the petitions by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners on December 6, 2010, three candidates, Ryan Graves, M. Tricia Lee, and Jay Stone, were removed from the ballot for submitting insufficient numbers of signatures or duplicate signatures, although they had the right to seek reconsideration of the decision.[11] Rob Halpin, businessman and tenant of Rahm Emanuel, withdrew from the election on the same day.[11] Tom Hanson was removed by the Board of Election Commissioners on December 13, but filed a complaint in Circuit County Court Chancery division seeking reversal of the Board's decision, for being contrary to Illinois Election Code, Section 10–8, but was not reinstated.[12][13] Former U.S. Senator from Illinois Roland Burris withdrew from the race on December 17, 2010.[14] State Senator James Meeks ended his bid on December 23, 2010, the deadline for candidates to not appear on the ballot.[15]

Danny K. Davis, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 7th district, withdrew on December 31, 2010, to support Carol Moseley Braun, in an attempt to unite voters behind a single major African American candidate.[16]

Assemblies of God congregation leader Wilfredo De Jesús dropped out of the race on January 7, 2011, and endorsed Gery Chico.[17]

Real estate broker John Hu was removed from the ballot by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners on December 29, 2010.[18] On January 11, 2011, the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners removed three additional candidates whose candidacies were challenged and finalized the election ballot of six candidates.[10]

On ballot

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Six candidates appeared on the February 22 ballot:

Candidate Experience Announced Ref
 
Gery Chico
President of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners (2007–2010)
President of the Chicago Board of Education (1995–2001)
former Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard M. Daley
former Chairman of the City Colleges of Chicago
September 28, 2010
 
[19]
 
Miguel del Valle
City Clerk of Chicago since 2006
Illinois state senator from the 2nd district (1987–2006)
September 2010
 
[20]
 
Rahm Emanuel
White House Chief of Staff (2009–2010)
U.S. Congressman from Illinois' 5th district (2003–2009)
Senior Advisor to the President of the United States (1993–1998)
White House Director of Political Affairs (1993)
October 3, 2010
 
[21]
 
Carol Moseley Braun
United States Ambassador to New Zealand (1999–2001) and to Samoa (2000–2001)
United States Senator from Illinois (1993–1999)
Cook County Recorder of Deeds (1988–1992)
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1979–1988)
November 20, 2010
 
[22]
 
Patricia Van Pelt Watkins
Non-profit administrator and activist
William "Dock" Walls former aide to Mayor Harold Washington
community activist, businessman, and perennial candidate

Write-in candidates

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  • D’Anne E. Burley[2]
  • Alfredo Castillo[2]
  • Alex George (AG)[2]
  • Anthony Brent Gray (Tony)[2]
  • Tommy Hanson[2]
  • John C. Hawkins[2]
  • John Hu[2]
  • Peter Dale Kauss, Sr[2]
  • “Fredrick” “Frederick” “Fred” “F.” K. White[2]

Withdrew

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The following individuals withdrew their candidacies

Nominations invalid

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The following candidates had their nominations deemed invalid by the Chicago Board of Elections, and thus were denied inclusion on the ballot:

Declined

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Eligibility of Emanuel

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On January 24, 2011, Rahm Emanuel was removed from the ballot by the Illinois First District Appellate Court in a 2–1 decision. Emanuel's eligibility had been previously confirmed by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners and a judge of Cook County. Emanuel appealed the case to the Supreme Court of Illinois.[35] Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times criticized the ruling in editorials as "startling arrogance and audaciously twisted reasoning" and "pinched interpretation of the law [that] ignores the lawmakers' obvious intent".[36][37] On January 25, 2011, the Supreme Court of Illinois issued a stay of the appellate court's ruling that Rahm Emanuel should be removed from the ballot.[38] On January 27, 2011, the Supreme Court of Illinois, in a unanimous (7–0) decision, overturned the ruling of the Appellate Court and allowed Emanuel to stay on the ballot.

Campaign

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On September 23, 2010, Miguel del Valle became the first candidate to launch a television commercial in the mayoral race.[39]

Rahm Emanuel announced his resignation as White House Chief of Staff on October 1, 2010, and went on to announce his mayoral candidacy on October 3.[40] According to the Chicago Sun-Times, two Chicago election lawyers stated that Illinois municipal code requires mayoral candidates to reside in the town for a year before the election, making Emanuel ineligible to hold the office.[41] On December 23, 2010, the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners unanimously rejected the challenge to Emanuel and ruled that he was a legal resident of Chicago.[42]

The editorial pages of Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times endorsed Rahm Emanuel on February 4, 2011.[43][44]

While President Barack Obama had not formally endorsed Emanuel, there was a public perception that the president favored his former Chief of Staff for mayor.[45]

Endorsements

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Gery Chico

Officeholders

Individuals

Organizations

Miguel del Valle

Officeholders

Individuals

Newspapers

Organizations

Rahm Emanuel

Officeholders

Individuals

Newspapers

Organizations

Carol Moseley Braun

Officeholders

Individuals

Newspapers

Organizations

Polling

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First round

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Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Ed Burke Roland Burris Gery Chico Bill Daley Tom Dart Danny K. Davis Miguel Del Valle Rahm Emanuel Bob Fioretti Luis Gutiérrez Jim Houlihan Jesse Jackson, Jr. James Meeks Carol Moseley Braun Terry Peterson Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins William Walls Other Undecided
McKeon & Associates / Chicago Sun-Times (report) September 8, 2010 600 ± 4.3% 6% 12% 7% 3% 9% 3% 8% 10% 4% 3% 35%
We Ask America (report) September 2010 2,365 ? 6.31% 8.16% 13.66% 29.68% 2.95% 12.81% 2.30% 13.36% 8.21% 2.55%
Chicago Teamsters Joint Council 25 / Anzalone Liszt (report) November 8–14, 2010 ? ± 3.7% 10% 14% 4% 36% 7% 13%
We Ask America (report) November 23, 2010 2,255 ± 2.06% 2.40% 8.86% 7.29% 4.78% 39.00% 5.16% 12.33% 1.47% 18.72%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (report) December 1–8, 2010 1,020 ± 3% 1% 9% 10% 8% 43% 7% 11% 2% 7%
Chicago Tribune (report) December 10–13, 2010 721 ± 3.6% 9% 9% 3% 32% 7% 6% 30%
We Ask America (report) December 20, 2010 2,239 ± 2.07% 11.78% 6.63% 6.09% 43.83% 3.63% 7.78% 3.91% 16.35%
Chicago Teamsters Joint Council 25 / Anzalone Liszt (report) January 4–6, 2011 500 ±4.4% 10% 7% 42% 26%
Chicago Tribune/WGN (report) January 15–19, 2011 708 ±3.7% 16% 7% 44% 21% 1% 2% 9%
We Ask America (report) January 24, 2011 2,308 ±2.05% 14% 4% 52% 11% 16%
Richard Day Research (report) February 3–7, 2011 600 ±4% 14% 8% 54% 6% 3% 15%
NBC Chicago / Victory Research (report) February 10–12, 2011 ? ±3.46% 16.1% 9.6% 44.8% 22.5% 0.9% 1.1% 5.0%
We Ask America (report) February 13, 2011 2,252 ± 2.06% 23.72% 10.39% 58.21% 6.04% 0.97% 0.67%

Hypothetical runoff

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Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Danny K. Davis Rahm Emanuel Carol Moseley Braun
Chicago Teamsters Joint Council 25 / Anzalone Liszt (report) November 8–14, 2010 ? ± 4.3% 33% 54%
55% 32%
Chicago Teamsters Joint Council 25 / Anzalone Liszt (report) January 4–6, 2011 500 ±4.4% 53% 31%

Results

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Mayor of Chicago 2011[1][2] (General Election)
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Rahm Emanuel 326,331 55.27
Nonpartisan Gery J. Chico 141,228 23.92
Nonpartisan Miguel del Valle 54,689 9.26
Nonpartisan Carol Moseley Braun 53,062 8.99
Nonpartisan Patricia Van Pelt Watkins 9,704 1.64
Nonpartisan William Walls, III 5,343 0.90
Write-in Tommy Hanson 9 0.00
Write-in John C. Hawkins 8 0.00
Write-in “Fredrick” “Frederick” “Fred” “F.” K. White 6 0.00
Write-in Alfredo Castillo 4 0.00
Write-in John Hu 4 0.00
Write-in Alex George (AG) 3 0.00
Turnout 590,391 41.99

Results by ward

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago".
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "TABULATED STATEMENT OF THE RETURNS AND PROCLAMATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE CANVASS OF THE ELECTION RETURNS FOR THE FEBRUARY 22, 2011 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS IN ALL OF THE WARDS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO" (PDF). Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  3. ^ Webber, Tammy (September 7, 2010). "Chicago Mayor Daley won't run for re-election". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on September 11, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  4. ^ Cichowsk, Marla (September 7, 2010). "Rules For Running For Chicago Mayor". Fox News. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  5. ^ Cillizza, Chris (November 15, 2010). "Jeb Bush rules out presidential run – for now". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  6. ^ "Puerto Rican Vying to Be Chicago's First Hispanic Mayor". Latin American Herald Tribune. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  7. ^ Reiss, Dawn (September 9, 2010). "Who Wants to Be Next Mayor of Chicago?". Time. Archived from the original on September 15, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  8. ^ Davey, Monica (February 22, 2011). "Rahm Emanuel Elected Mayor of Chicago". The New York Times.
  9. ^ Mack, Kristen; Heinzmann, David (February 23, 2011). "Rahm Emanuel wins Chicago mayor race". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ a b Dardick, Hal; Mack, Kristen (January 11, 2011). "It's down to six candidates on Chicago mayoral ballot". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Chase, John; Mack, Kristen (December 6, 2010). "Election board knocks three off mayoral ballot; Emanuel challenges also being heard". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Chicago Activist William Kelly Offers Statement at Emanuel Residency Hearing". ChicagoNow. December 18, 2010. Archived from the original on December 20, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  13. ^ a b Circuit Court of Cook County following Tom Hanson's judicial petition to reverse the Election Board of Commissioners' decision
  14. ^ a b Pallasch, Abdon M. (December 18, 2010). "Burris withdraws from mayoral race". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  15. ^ a b Mack, Kristen (December 23, 2010). "Sen. James Meeks drops bid for Chicago mayor". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 24, 2010.
  16. ^ a b Rozek, Dan; Pallasch, Abdon M. (December 31, 2010). "Davis to drop out of mayor's race, support Braun: source". Southtown Star. Archived from the original on January 4, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  17. ^ a b Chase, John (January 7, 2011). "Latino mayoral candidate drops out, endorses Chico". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  18. ^ a b Coen, Jeff; Sweeney, Annie (December 29, 2010). "Braun vows to dump Weis". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
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  20. ^ "Del Valle First to Air Mayoral Campaign Ad". NBC Chicago. September 23, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  21. ^ Stern, Andrew (October 3, 2010). "Emanuel announces candidacy for Chicago mayor online". Reuters. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  22. ^ "Carol Moseley Braun Announces Mayoral Run". NBC Chicago. November 20, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  23. ^ "Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago as the duly constituted Electoral Board, Case No: 11-EB-MUN-053" (PDF). Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. December 10, 2010.
  24. ^ "Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago as the duly constituted Electoral Board, Case No: 11-EB-MUN-056" (PDF). Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. January 11, 2011.
  25. ^ "Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago as the duly constituted Electoral Board, Case No: 11-EB-MUN-057" (PDF). Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. January 3, 2011.
  26. ^ "Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago as the duly constituted Electoral Board, Case No: 11-EB-MUN-055" (PDF). Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. January 11, 2011.
  27. ^ "Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago as the duly constituted Electoral Board, Case No: 11-EB-MUN-054" (PDF). Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. January 11, 2011.
  28. ^ "Ald. Burke Not Running For Mayor". CBS Chicago. October 15, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Reiss, Dawn (September 9, 2010). "Who Wants to Be Next Mayor of Chicago?". Time. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  30. ^ Vivanco, Leonor (February 12, 2015). "Mayoral candidate Bob Fioretti doesn't mind a political fight". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  31. ^ "Fioretti Has Cancer, Abandons Mayoral Run". NBC Chicago. November 1, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  32. ^ Shiner, Meredith (October 26, 2010). "Jackson Jr. won't run for mayor". POLITICO.
  33. ^ "Group Picks 2 Finalists For 'Consensus' Black Mayoral Candidate". October 28, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  34. ^ Srahler, Steven R. (September 14, 2013). "The next Corboys: Larry Rogers Jr". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  35. ^ Strauss, Daniel (January 24, 2011). "Emanuel to appeal court ruling that booted him off Chicago's mayoral ballot". The Hill. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  36. ^ "Judicial arrogance". Chicago Tribune. January 24, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  37. ^ "Editorial: Rahm ruling a disservice to voters". Chicago Sun-Times. January 25, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  38. ^ "NationalJournal.com - High Court Puts Emanuel Back on Chicago Ballot, Will Review Case - Tuesday, January 25, 2011". Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  39. ^ Pallasch, Abdon M. (September 23, 2010). "Del Valle first mayoral candidate to launch commercial". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on October 8, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  40. ^ Dolak, Kevin (October 3, 2010). "It's Official: Emanuel for Chicago Mayor". ABC News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  41. ^ Pallasch, Abdon M. (October 4, 2010). "Experts say Rahm Emanuel not a legal resident of city". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  42. ^ Pallasch, Abdon; Spielman, Fran; Konkol, Mark (December 23, 2010). "Election board: Emanuel will remain on ballot". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
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  45. ^ a b c Terry, Don (February 26, 2011). "How a Past Political Star Became an Also-Ran". The New York Times. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  46. ^ a b c d Moser, Whet (February 23, 2011). "Why Rahm Emanuel Won". Chicago magazine. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  47. ^ "Burke Endorses Chico For Mayor". CBS Chicago. January 13, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  48. ^ Wallsten, Peter (January 14, 2011). "It's Rahm Emanuel's mayoral race in Chicago, but Obama's record is the ammunition". Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  49. ^ Robinson, Kevin (January 11, 2011). "The Sun-Times Digs Up Gery Chico's Past". The Chicagoist. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  50. ^ Sudo, Chuck (January 10, 2011). "Chico Picks Up Endorsements, Launches New Ads". The Chicagoist. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  51. ^ Joravsky, Ben (January 20, 2011). "Chico and the Man". Chicago Reader. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  52. ^ a b "Chico Lands Two Big Endorsements". NBC Chicago. December 6, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  53. ^ a b Mack, Kristen; Heinzmann, David (January 25, 2011). "Chico gets firefighters' endorsement". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  54. ^ a b c d "Del Valle endorsed by Latino county commissioners". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 21, 2019.[dead link]
  55. ^ a b c d "Labor Unions Split In Race For Mayor". CBS Chicago. January 19, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  56. ^ McClell, Edward (January 19, 2011). "Chico the Winning Bidder for FOP Endorsement". NBC Chicago. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
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  59. ^ a b c "Del Valle Picks Up Endorsements". NBC Chicago. January 9, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  60. ^ a b Felsenthal, Carol (February 2, 2011). "A Look at Miguel del Valle, a Regular Chicago Guy Who Wants to Be Mayor". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  61. ^ "Substance supports Del Valle for mayor - Substance News". Substance News. February 10, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  62. ^ Dwyer, Devin (January 20, 2011). "Moseley Braun Invokes Lewinsky to Chide Bill Clinton". ABC News. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  63. ^ "Lucrative Loophole For Rahm". Better Government Association. May 18, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  64. ^ a b Thomas, Brian C. (January 10, 2011). "Meet the Candidates for Mayor of Chicago". Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  65. ^ "Editorial: Emanuel offers Chicago chance for fresh start". Crain's Chicago Business. February 3, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  66. ^ Hartman, Hermene (February 9, 2011). "N'DIGO Endorses Rahm Emanuel for Mayor". HuffPost. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  67. ^ a b "HRC, EI PAC endorse Emanuel - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive". Windy City Times. February 16, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  68. ^ "Flyover Geeks: Mayoral hopefuls take tech test". Crain's Chicago Business. January 26, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
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  70. ^ King, Bob (February 17, 2011). "Green groups to Rahm: Pick a side!". Politico.
  71. ^ "Ill. high court mulls Rahm Emanuel's mayoral run". San Diego Union-Tribune. January 26, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  72. ^ a b c Chase, John; Schorsch, Kristen (January 1, 2011). "African-American leaders unite around Carol Moseley Braun for mayor". Chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  73. ^ "Moseley Braun Wins Big Endorsement, Compares Rahm's Persona To Hitler". Huffington Post. February 14, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  74. ^ Allen, Mark S. (February 21, 2011). "The Chicago Crusader Newspaper Endorses Carol Moseley Braun". Chicago Now. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  75. ^ Allen, Mark S. (February 16, 2011). "The Chicago Defender Endorses Carol Moseley Braun For Chicago Mayor". Chicago Now. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  76. ^ a b "NOW Equality PAC and Chicago NOW PAC Endorse Carol Moseley Braun for Mayor of Chicago". National Organization for Women. January 18, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
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Official campaign websites