Runoff Likely In 5th Ward Election: Hairston At 48 Percent

CHICAGO - Three candidates are seeking the 5th Ward aldermanic seat in the 2019 City of Chicago election. Incumbent Leslie Hairston and challengers Gabriel Piemonte and William Calloway are in the race. Scroll down to the bottom of the article for live vote totals as they come in Tuesday night.

As of late Tuesday night, Hairston had roughly 48 percent of the vote, well ahead of both Calloway (27 percent) and Piemonte (24 percent). But still not enough to avoid an April 2 runoff, which will occur if Hairston cannot get to 50 percent plus 1 after votes in the final three ward precincts are counted.

Hairston has represented the ward since 1999 and is seeking to be re-elected for the fourth time.

Calloway is an activist who was a major part of the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video to the public. He entered the race in November 2018. READ MORE: Activist Who Helped Release Laquan McDonald Video Running For Alderman

Piemonte, the former editor of the Hyde Park Herald, has been in the race for almost a full year. READ MORE: Former Hyde Park Herald Editor Running For Alderman

A majority of the media endorsements have gone the way of Piemonte, including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Hyde Park Herald and Chicago Maroon.

RELATED: Hyde Park Patch Mayor Sid Colton Endorses Piemonte In 5th Ward Aldermanic Race

FOLLOW VOTE TOTALS HERE: via city of Chicago board of elections

• Leslie Hairston (Incumbent): 5,669, 48.65%
• William Calloway: 3,143, 26.97 %
• Gabriel Piemonte: 2,841, 24.38 %

***** 38 of 41 precincts reporting (92.68%)