Paul Vallas | |
|---|---|
_(adjusted1).jpg) Vallas in March 2023 | |
| Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools | |
| In office January 3, 2012 – November 8, 2013 Acting: January 3, 2012 – June 24, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | John Ramos |
| Succeeded by | Fran Rabinowitz (acting) |
| Superintendent of the Recovery School District of Louisiana | |
| In office June 2007 – May 1, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Robin Jarvis |
| Succeeded by | John White |
| CEO of the School District of Philadelphia | |
| In office July 2002 – June 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Phil Goldsmith |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Brady (acting)[citation needed] |
| CEO of Chicago Public Schools | |
| In office July 10, 1995 – June 26, 2001 | |
| Appointed by | Richard M. Daley |
| Preceded by | Argie Johnson (Superintendent) |
| Succeeded by | Arne Duncan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Paul Gust Vallas June 10, 1953 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Sharon Vallas (m. 1984) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Moraine Valley Community College Western Illinois University (BA, MA) |
| Signature | .gif){kind=small} |
Paul Gust Vallas Sr. (VAL-iss;[1] born June 10, 1953) is an American politician and former education superintendent. He served as the superintendent of the Bridgeport Public Schools in Connecticut and the Recovery School District of Louisiana, the CEO of both the School District of Philadelphia and the Chicago Public Schools, and a budget director for the city of Chicago.
As a school superintendent, Vallas was noted for his embrace of charter schools.
A member of the Democratic Party, Vallas has unsuccessfully sought elected office several times. Vallas was the runner-up in the Democratic primary of the 2002 Illinois gubernatorial election. He ran as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in the 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election. Vallas was a candidate in the 2019 Chicago mayoral election. He was also most recently the runner-up in the 2023 Chicago mayoral election. After finishing first in the initial round of that election without securing a majority, Vallas faced Brandon Johnson in a runoff election and was defeated.[2] Multiple media outlets had referred to him as a perennial candidate.[3][4][5]
- ^ "Vallas, Johnson proceed to mayoral runoff as Lightfoot is edged out". WBBM. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023 – via audacy.com.
- ^ "Progressive Brandon Johnson wins Chicago mayor's race". Politico. April 4, 2023.
- ^ Korecki, Natasha (March 16, 2023). "Bernie Sanders backs Brandon Johnson in Chicago Mayor's race". NBC News. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
Now, Johnson squares off against Vallas, once a perennial candidate, whose tough-on-crime mantra lifted him to secure the top spot in the first round of the mayoral contest.
- ^ Lydersen, Kari (March 3, 2023). "After a Stunning Election, the Future of Chicago Is Up for Grabs". In These Times. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
Perennial candidate and quasi-Republican Paul Vallas will face off against progressive Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson on April 4.
- ^ Donnini, Zachary (February 28, 2023). "February 28th First Round Chicago Mayor Election Preview". Decision Desk HQ. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
Lightfoot will be pushed hardest by four challengers: Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, Commissioner Brandon Johnson, businessman Willie Wilson, and (most importantly) perennial Democratic Politician Paul Vallas