The Chicago mayoral election of 1983 began with the primary on February 22, 1983, which was followed by the general on April 12, 1983. The election resulted in the victory of Chicago’s first African American mayor, Harold Washington, over Republican Bernard Epton.

Incumbent Mayor Jane Byrne, who had served since April 16, 1979, faced primary challenges from Cook County State's Attorney Richard M. Daley and U.S. Congressman Harold Washington. Despite institutional support and a well-funded campaign, Byrne was weakened by controversies during her tenure. Daley, the son of former six-term mayor Richard J. Daley, initially led in polling but struggled to consolidate support. Harold Washington emerged as a viable challenger after significant African American voter mobilization and defeated both Byrne and Daley in the Democratic primary by nearly 3 points. On the Republican side, state Representative Bernard Epton won the nomination unopposed.

In the general election, backlash against Washington among some white voters propelled Epton's candidacy. While Epton's candidacy was initially respectful in tone, it later ran ads that observers described as racially tinged. Washington responded by challenging Epton’s messaging, racial opposition to his candidacy, and resistance from segments of the Democratic machine, including aldermen who endorsed Epton. This led to an unusually competitive general election race.

Turnout in both the primary and general elections were among the highest in Chicago’s history. In the general election, with 82.07% of voters casting ballots, Washington won by 3.7%, securing strong support from African American voters, while Epton carried more wards than any Republican candidate since 1927.

Background

Since winning an upset victory in the 1979 Democratic primary and a landslide victory in that year's general election, Jane Byrne's mayoral tenure faced difficulties, including financial troubles, strikes by city workers, and high staff turnover.

Newspapers had speculated about a candidacy by Richard M. Daley, son of six-term mayor Richard J. Daley. From the start of her administration, Byrne recognized the threat posed by the younger Daley and sought to contain him. In the 1980 Cook County State's Attorney election, Byrne backed Ed Burke in the Democratic primary and later Republican Bernard Carey in the general election, both of whom were defeated by Daley. However, the younger Daley struggled with a perception that he was a lightweight compared to his father, though observers noted he began to shed the reputation after his father's death in 1976. Daley narrowly led Byrne in polls conducted throughout 1982.

There had long been speculation that a Black candidate for mayor would run, and professor Michael B. Preston wrote in 1982 that many Black voters had grown dissatisfied with the pre-existing political machine, though they would likely face challenges mobilizing the vote. Actions by Byrne, such as supporting a redistricting plan that reduced Black and Hispanic influence, and at various points, firing Black members of the city's Board of Education and Housing Authority and replacing them with white members, contributed to this dissatisfaction. Subsequently, Jesse Jackson would lead a boycott of 1982's ChicagoFest, which would serve as a catalyst for further Black mobilization.

Harold Washington had been the favorite among much of Chicago's African American community, and a movement to draft him was led by former journalist and community activist Lu Palmer. A poll by the Chicago Black United Communities (CBUC) found Washington to be the favorite among 10 prospective Black candidates. Washington initially did not accept any overtures to run. During a July 26, 1982, event in which prominent figures in the Black community intended to endorse his mayoral candidacy, Washington declared in his speech that the upcoming race was about "the plan, not the man." Moreover, Washington requested a guarantee that a prospective campaign would have adequate resources, including an increase in Black voter registration. Subsequently, activists registered more than 100,000 new voters, and with Daley and Byrne competing, there was a credible path for Washington. Democratic primary Candidates Jane Byrne, incumbent mayor since 1979 Richard M. Daley, Cook County State's Attorney Harold Washington, U.S. congressman, candidate for mayor in 1977

Declined

Roman Pucinski, alderman for the 41st Ward, former U.S. Congressman William Singer, former alderman

Early campaign Byrne officially announced her re-election bid on November 22, 1982. She campaigned on rehabilitating her image, accepting blame for past mistakes, but arguing she put the city on a better financial footing and was seasoned enough to lead it through turmoil. Byrne also attempted to portray herself as above the political fray, focusing on her administration's accomplishments.

Daley announced his campaign on November 4, 1982. He campaigned as a reform-minded candidate who sought a more transparent government. He also said that, if elected, he would call on the city council to adopt an ordinance making city records available to the public. Daley was critical of Byrne's leadership and attacked her over what he said were broken promises, including the fare increase on the CTA.

Washington announced that he would run for mayor on November 10, 1982, in Hyde Park. He campaigned against the city's political machine and promised to cut unnecessary patronage jobs to improve the city's finances. Additionally, Washington campaigned to mobilize Black voter support, arguing that it had been time for a Black mayor since Black voters had given white candidates votes for years with little to show for it.

Both Daley and Washington had strong regional support, with Daley receiving much support in the turnout-heavy Southwest Side neighborhoods, and Washington among Black voters in South Side neighborhoods. However, Byrne secured support for her re-nomination from 33 of the city's aldermen, while Daley and Washington split the remaining 17.

A voting bloc that candidates sought support from was the independent-leaning Democrats, often referred to as "lakefront liberals." They had backed Byrne in the 1979 primary, but were hesitant to back her again, feeling she had reneged on promises to implement reforms. These voters were divided between Daley, who won the support of prominent lakefront liberals such as Dawn Clark Netsch and Martin J. Oberman, and Washington, who won the support of the Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization.

Washington had strong support from African American voters. However, he faced challenges in gaining white voters' support, as they were largely divided between Byrne and Daley. In contrast to Byrne and Daley, who received numerous white endorsements, including those from national figures such as Ted Kennedy and Walter Mondale, Washington was only endorsed by white elected officials representing predominantly Black districts. Washington’s low name recognition led Byrne and Daley to avoid racially charged attacks, as they aimed to appeal to Black voters. Byrne held a lead with minority voters as late as January 1983. According to Professor William Grimshaw, Byrne and Washington primarily competed for Black voters, while Daley and Byrne vied for white voters' support.

Additionally, the city's Hispanic voters were noted as one of the fastest-growing voting blocs. Byrne polled well with Hispanic voters in a late January poll, while Daley benefited from residual memories of his father, and Washington was largely unknown in many Hispanic neighborhoods.

Debates The three candidates met for four debates in January. Arrangements for the debates faced difficulties, as Daley had not initially committed to them, prompting Byrne and Washington to threaten to withdraw, and the Chicago Sun-Times canceled one debate. On January 13, 1983, the candidates agreed to four debates, held on January 18, January 24, January 27, and January 31. Professor Paul Green later wrote that during the debates, Byrne defended her record under pressure, Daley managed to dispel some of the notions about him, but Washington came off as a legitimate contender. Washington himself noted in an interview after the primary that he thought the debates helped him show off his experience to voters.

Closing weeks

In the aftermath of the debate, polling showed that Daley lost support among both white and Black voters. However, he won the endorsements of both of the city's major newspapers, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. The endorsements were critical of Byrne's tenure, helping revive Daley’s campaign while halting Byrne’s gains. Additionally, Washington's standing continued to improve. A campaign rally at the UIC Pavilion drew over 12,000 people, motivating the city's Black business community to donate more than $250,000 in the two weeks between the rally and election day. Washington was also endorsed by U.S. Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Alan Cranston, which legitimized Washington as a contender in the eyes of the Black community.

Cook County Democratic Party chairman Edward Vrdolyak was alleged to have encouraged voters to back Byrne, warning that a vote for Daley was a vote for Washington. The weekend of the primary, Vrdolyak told a group of precinct captains, "It's a racial thing. Don't kid yourself. I'm calling on you to save your city, to save your precinct. We’re fighting to keep the city the way it is." Reporters picked up the comments. Washington condemned the remarks, and Byrne attempted to avoid making race an issue.

In the closing days of the campaign, Byrne was defensive, particularly in response to attacks from Daley. Daley, meanwhile, was struggling to convince voters that he was no longer in third place.

Endorsements

Results

Washington received 36.3% of the citywide vote, including approximately 80% of the African American vote; Mayor Byrne had 33.6% of the citywide vote, and Daley came in third place with 29.7%. The election saw a record-setting 69% turnout among registered African American voters and 70% turnout among Hispanic voters.

Professor Paul Green would later say that Daley was not adequately prepared to run in 1983, lacking an efficient political organization, significant political experience, and a thorough understanding of the city's issues and demographics. Professor William J. Grimshaw pointed to Byrne's actions in office, particularly those opposed by the Black community, as a reason for her loss. Once Washington emerged, many Black ward organizers no longer had a reason to back her.

! colspan="5" rowspan="1" align="center" |1983 Chicago Democratic Party Mayoral Primary |- ! colspan="2" rowspan="1" align="left" | Candidate ! width="75" | Votes ! width="30" | % ! width="45" | +/- |- | style="color:inherit;background:#3333FF" | | align="left" | Harold Washington | | % | N/A |- | style="color:inherit;background:#3333FF" | | align="left" | Jane Byrne (incumbent) | | % | -17.4% |- | style="color:inherit;background:#3333FF" | | align="left" | Richard M. Daley | | % | N/A |- | style="color:inherit;background:#3333FF" | | align="left" | Frank R. Ranallo | | % | N/A |- | style="color:inherit;background:#3333FF" | | align="left" | William Markowski | | % | N/A |- | style="color:inherit;background:#3333FF" | | align="left" | Sheila Jones | | % | N/A |- | colspan="2" align="left" | Majority | | % | +0.6% |- | colspan="2" align="left" | Total | || % | N/A

Exit polls According to an exit poll conducted by the Associated Press and WMAQ-TV, Byrne received 47% of the white vote, Daley received 46%, and Washington received 6%. Washington received 84% of the Black vote. Additionally, a March report said that Byrne received 51% of the Hispanic vote to Daley 35% and Washington 13%.

Republican primary

Campaign