LGBTQ Status Becomes Issue In Chicago Mayoral Race

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Photo credit WBBM Newsradio/Craig Dellimore

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot wondered aloud Monday if her opponent, Toni Preckwinkle, used a compliment about her sexual orientation as a way to make an issue of it with conservative voters.

In their first face-to-face debate last week, Preckwinkle was asked what she admires about Lightfoot and she commended Lightfoot for being openly gay.

Lightfoot said her rival may have been subtly highlighting the issue for those who might disapprove of the LGBTQ community. In other words, it may have been a dog whistle, Lightfoot said.

Preckwinkle dismissed the assertion and said she has long supported the LGBTQ community.

“That’s ridiculous,” Preckwinkle said.

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Lightfoot and openly gay State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who supports her, says the effect is the same even if Preckwinkle was trying to say something nice.

Preckwinkle, the Cook County Board president, and Lightfoot – former president of the Chicago Police Board – are running against each other in the April 2 mayoral runoff election. Whoever wins will earn the distinction as being Chicago’s first female African-American mayor.