Then-Illinois Paul Vallas speaks during a news conference in Chicago on April 2, 2014. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green,File)

Preparing a bid for re-election in the upcoming Chicago mayoral race, Lori Lightfoot’s campaign recently published a microsite that compares past quotes from Paul Vallas (D) and Republican governor nominee, Darren Bailey. 

The website, “Who Said It: Paul Vallas or Darren Bailey?”, quizzes visitors on who said the MAGA-like comment. Similarities between the comments and two men run rampant. 

Upon entering the site, users are greeted with the message, “Paul Vallas is an extreme Republican trying to run as a Democrat, but how do his past comments compare to those of Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey?”

Screenshot of the “Who Said It: Paul Vallas or Darren Bailey” microsite published by Lori Lightfoot’s reelection campaign

 

Addressing the two candidates, Lightfoot campaign spokesperson Chritina Freundlich said, “Paul Vallas for years now has been an extreme, conservative Republican masquerading as a Democrat.” 

Freundlich would go on to say, “When compared to a far-right candidate who walks and talks like Donald Trump, Vallas’s disguise completely falls away. Vallas proves to be indistinguishable from MAGA role model Darren Bailey, and neither leader is right for Chicago.” 

Similarities between the two men are put on display as viewers of the website participate in the quiz. One such example centers around their view of Chicago and the Democratic party. 

Speaking on Barstool Sports podcast “The Dog Walk”, Vallas said, “This city has been dominated by Democrats for like what is it, 50 or 60 years? I mean, what do we have to show for it?” 

Apart from the fact Vallas made these comments about the party he is representing, his rival Darren Bailey, made strikingly similar comments in a 2020 Facebook post. “Chicago has been Democrat controlled….. forever? Illinois has been Democrat-controlled for nearly 50 years! The problem is obvious! It’s time for a real change!”

While raising money has not been an issue; the rate at which Lightfoot’s campaign is spending is high. “Lightfoot spent $607,449 of the $1 million she raised during the three-month period ending Sept. 30, and still hasn’t aired any TV or radio commercials to boost her 25% approval rating,” the Chicago Sun-Times noted. Despite this, Lightfoot has outraised all of her opponents, excluding Dr. Willie Wilson, who is self-funded, with $2.94 million in the bank.

Paul Vallas is one of the closest nominees to match Lightfoot and her fundraising, as he claims he has “$1.82 million cash on hand” after the third quarter. Vallas is expecting to top $2 million by the end of the month. That includes $500,000 from a well-known Republican donor, Michael Keiser.

Chicago’s next consolidated municipal election is February 28, 2023, with any run-offs scheduled for April 4, 2023. Candidates running in each office must submit their petitions by November 28. The three main city positions will require at least 12,500 signatures.