Two Black women triumphed among a crowded slate of mayoral candidates to trigger an April runoff in Chicago. No matter who prevails in that race, the nation's third-largest city will elect its first Black woman mayor in history.

According to CNN, Lori Lightfoot is an openly gay former United States assistant attorney who the news site writes earned 17.48 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election.

"I'm running for mayor to build a Chicago City government that represents and defends every person, no matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation," the Ohio native said in a January news release. 

Her opponent, Toni Preckwinkle, serves as president of the Cook County Board, and she finished with 15.96 percent of votes. 

The Windy City's current mayor, Rahm Emanuel, opted not to seek a third term. 

Lightfoot has made police reform her main priority in the highly contested race. Per The Associated Press, the 2014 shooting of Black teenager Laquan McDonald by a white officer is an inspiration to spearhead a structural change at the Chicago Police Department, should she win the election. 

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Preckwinkle, 71, shares similar sentiments as her opponent but also subtly criticized Lightfoot for her lack of experience in public service.

"It's not enough to stand at a podium and talk about what you want to see happen," she said to a room of supporters Tuesday night. "You have to come to this job with the capacity and the capability to make your vision a reality."

Despite her inexperience in an elected position, Lightfoot has made numerous strides throughout her career to fix the inconsistencies within Chicago's law enforcement. NPR writes the University of Chicago alum led an accountability coalition to focus on accusations of police discrimination. Moreover, Lightfoot was once president of the Chicago Police Board, an alliance of private citizens who help determine punishments for police officers guilty of any wrongdoings.

The 56-year-old spoke of her track record to The Chicago Tribune, saying, "There's been nobody in the city that's been a more vocal, persistent, demanding advocate for police reform and accountability than I have."

The runoff election between Lightfoot and Preckwinkle is scheduled for April 2.

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ChicagoLori LightfootMayor Rahm EmanuelMayoral ElectionToni Preckwinkle