Mayor Richard M. Daley Reelected in Chicago

Mayor Richard M. Daley has won his bid for a sixth term of office in today's mayoral race. The City of Chicago reelected Mayor Richard M. Daley with 71% of the vote, per NBC News

In his victory speech, according to NBC News, Daley said, "We have come a long way by working together to focus on the challenges we share. Our school are improving, but there's more to do until every child in this city gets a quality education they deserve. Our streets are safer, but there's more to do before every neighborhood is free from the grip of gangs, guns and drugs. Out neighborhoods are stronger, but there's more to do to provide affordable housing, new jobs and businesses all across our city. Our budget is balanced but there's more to do to make government even more efficient. So we continue to protect taxpayers and provide support to those that need it the more. Our city hiring and contracts system have been reformed, and I'll keep working to continue to make them stronger to prevent wrongdoing and any misconduct. An election is not an end. Instead it offers a new beginning."

Winning his sixth term gives Mayor Daley a good chance of breaking his father's record of a 21 year term. If he breaks his father's record he will be in range of the possibility of becoming Chicago's longest running Mayor. If he serves the full term of office, he will surpass the record held by his legendary father, the late Richard J. Daley, who currently holds the record for length of time in the office of Mayor.

The late Mayor Richard J. Daley died in office in 1976, after serving 21 years as mayor. His son, Richard M. Daley will have served 22 years at the end of the term he was just elected to. Mayor Richard J. Daley was serving his 21st year in office, when he died at the age of 74.

His challengers in Tuesday's election were Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy and William "Dock" Walls, an aide to the late Mayor Harold Washington. The challengers attempted to make an issue of corruption and a federal investigation at City Hall.

The Daley's are one of America's best known political families. Mayor Daley's brother, William M. Daley was U.S. Secretary of Commerce in Bill Clinton's second administrating. John P. Daley is a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Mayor Richard J. Daley was first elected Mayor of Chicago in April 1955. He was the 39th Mayor of Chicago. He was reelected in 1959, 1963 and in 1967. In 1967 he became the first Chicago Mayor to be elected for a consecutive fourth four year term. In 1975 Mayor Dale again broke precedent when he was elected for a sixth term. He died in office on December 20, 1976.

Mayor Richard M. Daley was elected in 1989, becoming the 45th Chief Executive in the history of Chicago. He was reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and now, 2007.

The mayors who served in office between the Daley's were: Michael Bilandic, who succeeded Mayor Daley after his death. Mayor Jane Byrne, who was elected in 1979, was Chicago's first female in office. Mayor Harold Washington, The first African-American Mayor in office, was elected in 1983, and then reelected in 1987. After winning his reelection bed in April, 1987, Harold Washington died in office in November 1987. He was succeeded by David D. Orr as Interim Mayor and Eugene Sawyer as Mayor. Mayor Richard M. Daley was first elected in a special election in 1989.

According to City Mayors: Richard M. Daley was born in Chicago in 1943. He was schooled at De La Salle Academy and graduated from De Paul University with undergraduate and law degrees. In 1972 he was elected to the Illinois Senate, being re-elected in 1976. In 1980 he was elected State's Attorney of Cook County, re-elected in 1984 and 1988. During this time he campaigned for harsher laws on narcotics use and the overhaul of the state's rape laws in order to secure more convictions.

The City of Chicago operates with a strong mayor and council model. The City council is comparatively large by U.S. standards, with 50 members, known as aldermen. Chicago is a significant city for the Democratic party and for presidential elections.

Mayor Richard M. Daley and his wife, Maggie, have three children (also one deceased).