Mayor Daniel Biss has secured his second term atop Evanston’s government, according to unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk’s office, giving him four more years to double down on his policy reforms and expand his political resume.
The victory keeps the keys in the hands of a seasoned politician who oversaw much change — and uproar — during his first term. Meanwhile, the opposition against the mayor, which coalesced in Jeff Boarini’s singular challenge to Biss, sputtered at the ballot box.
Biss leads with 9,933 votes, while Boarini holds 6,070 votes as of 9:53 p.m. Boarini called Biss to concede the race before 8:30 p.m.
In front of a cheering crowd at Biss’ campaign bash inside Bluestone, a cozy Central Street eatery, the mayor thanked Boarini and offered his supporters several applause lines.
“That is what this campaign is about: Moving forward together with every single voice at the table, every person, whatever your point of view, represented at that table,” Biss said.
At times, Biss’ triumph seemed inevitable. After claiming the mayoralty in a 2021 landslide, Biss carried his opening momentum through a term that saw significant fundraising throughout. The incumbent’s formidable six-figure war chest gave him a numerically significant lead over Boarini.
Still, the many controversies that plagued his term fomented the frustrations of several prominent detractors. The pact with Northwestern to commercialize Ryan Field, the sweeping Envision Evanston 2045 overhaul of city policy and smaller tiffs like the Civic Center move put his political power in question.
Meanwhile, Boarini delivered his concession speech to his supporters assembled inside his Davis Street campaign office.
“I don’t know what’s going to come next,” Boarini said. “But I am firmly committed to that notion that somehow, the group we have pulled together here, and the energy that we have created, must be used for future good.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Audrey Pachuta contributed reporting.
Email: shungraves2027@u.northwestern.edu
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