The race for the Chicago mayoral seat is heating up as polls open today and Lori Lightfoot faces 8 challengers. Lightfoot, who is the first black woman to be elected mayor of Chicago, is now facing criticism for her suggestion that voters oppose her because she is a black woman in power.

Laura Washington, a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, wrote that the upcoming elections in Chicago remain a toss-up. She noted that the mayoral contest is divided between progressives with Jesus Chuy Garcia, Gery Chico, and Bill Daley, and conservatives with Paul Vallas and Willie Wilson.

The Chicago Sun-Times recently published an opinion piece by Mark Brown, who argued that progressive leaders can blame themselves if Garcia or Toni Preckwinkle’s endorsed candidate, Susana Mendoza, fail to make the mayoral runoff.

Crime is at the top of the minds of many of the candidates, and Lightfoot has been vocal about her plans to address the issue. She has proposed a number of measures, including strengthening police-community relations and investing in youth programs.

The election is sure to be a close one, and the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the city of Chicago.