Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson pick up key endorsements

Bishop Larry Trotter joins in an anointing of mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson at Sweet Holy Spirit Church, 8621 S. South Chicago Ave. on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The religious leader had supported businessman Willie Wilson in the primary. (Sweet Holy Spirit Church livestream)

Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas both picked up key endorsements in the race for mayor Sunday, a week before early voting is slated to begin March 20.

Bishop Larry Trotter, a South Side pastor, endorsed Johnson, the Cook County commissioner, in the April 4 mayoral runoff. Meanwhile, Southwest Side Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) and former fellow mayoral candidate Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) endorsed Vallas, the former Chicago Public Schools boss.