Chicago City Wire

Paul Vallas has been endorsed for Chicago Mayor by former secretary of state Jesse White.

The 88-year-old White was secretary of state for a record six terms.

“It’s a true honor to receive the endorsement of Secretary White, a leader with a remarkable record of public service. Starting this runoff campaign with the support of an icon like Jesse White shows exactly the kind of broad, diverse coalition that we are building,” Vallas, Chicago Public Schools' former CEO, said on Twitter.

Pundits said White’s endorsement is a step in the right direction for Vallas who needs an estimated 20% of Chicago’s black vote to be elected in the April 4 runoff.

“It’s a huge first step toward Paul galvanizing support he needs desperately in the Black community,” an anonymous politician told NBC Chicago, adding the endorsements of other prominent black politicians are likely to follow.

Vallas was the leading contender in the Feb. 28 election. He’ll face off against Cook County commissioner for the 1st District Brandon Johnson will face off in the April 4 runoff.

Vallas notched 34% of the vote, Johnson had 20% and incumbent Lori Lightfoot did not make the runoff coming in third at 17%.

Vallas has also been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police due to his heavy focus on resolving the city’s crime problem. He previously noted the city’s issues in terms of response to 911 calls that are not being attended to.

“Last year, there were 400,000 high-priority 911 calls that they did not have a police car to respond to,” Vallas said. “That’s half of all the 911 calls that year.”