1983 Chicago mayoral election

1983 Chicago mayoral election

← 1979 April 12, 1983 1987 →
Turnout	82.07%[1] 21.7 pp
Nominee Harold Washington Bernard Epton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 668,176 619,926 Percentage 51.72% 47.99%
Results by precinct Results by ward Washington:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Epton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%      No votes
Mayor before election Jane Byrne Democratic Elected Mayor Harold Washington Democratic

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This article is part of a series about Harold Washington
Legislative political career Illinois House tenure 1975 speakership campaign Illinois Senate tenure 1975 election 1980 Illinois Human Rights Act Illinois's 1st congressional district 1980 election 1982 election Mayoralty Elections 1977 1983 1987 Council Wars Chicago Cultural Plan of 1986 Cancellation of ChicagoFest Cancellation of 1992 World's Fair Construction of McCormick Place North Construction of new central library Transit projects O'Hare Airport expansion Chicago "L" projects O'Hare Branch Midway Branch
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The Chicago mayoral election of 1983 was first the primary on February 22, 1983, which was followed by the general on April 12, 1983. The election saw the election of Chicago's first African-American mayor, Harold Washington.

Incumbent Mayor Jane Byrne, who had served since April 16, 1979, faced a primary challenge from Cook County State’s Attorney Richard M. Daley and from Harold Washington. Washington defeated Byrne and Dailey in the Democratic primary in February 1983, winning by nearly 3 points.

In the general election, Washington would face off against Republican nominee Bernard Epton. Though initially thought to be a longshot, backlash to Washington among white voters propelled Epton's candidacy, creating a closer race. Washington would end up winning with a 3.7% lead over Epton in a high turnout election.