2027 Chicago mayoral election

2027 Chicago mayoral election
February 23, 2027
Incumbent Mayor

Brandon Johnson


The 2027 Chicago mayoral election will be held on February 23, 2027, to elect the mayor of Chicago. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election will be held on April 6, 2027.[1]

Campaign

Incumbent first term mayor Brandon Johnson was elected with 52% of the vote in the runoff of the 2023 election. His approval ratings in the latter portion of his term have hovered at about 31%.[2][3] As of July 2026, Johnson has not yet formally announced whether he will run for re-election.[3][4] By mid-2025, several potential candidates were actively fundraising and the subject of media speculation, despite not announcing their candidacy yet.[5][3] In an interview in late July 2026, Johnson said he was in no rush to announce a re-election campaign while also defending his record and agenda.[6] In an article by The New York Times the following month, it was noted that Johnson faced a difficult path to re-election due to eroding support, the city’s financial issues, growing disapproval ratings and lackluster fundraising to a potential re-election bid.[7]

On October 6, 2025, Joe Holberg, an entrepreneur who founded and sold a money management firm, became the first candidate to formally enter the race.[5] On November 17, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced her intent to run while not formally launching a campaign.[8] She is also simultaneously running in the 2026 County Treasurer election, stating that race is her first priority and that she is in the mayoral race "unofficially" until the Treasurer election concludes.[8] Pappas has routinely challenged Johnson's more progressive taxation proposals.[8][9] In September, Pappas also commissioned the first poll of the election, a head-to-head poll between her and Johnson with a sample size of 800 that showed Pappas having a 56%-23% lead with 21% being undecided.[10]

On January 6, 2026, U.S. representative Mike Quigley announced his intent to run.[11][12] He said he would also simultaneously running for re-election to his congressional seat in 2026 and make a formal announcement after the March primary.[12][13] In his announcement Quigley stated that "Chicago is in crisis" and that it cannot tax its way out of financial trouble centering his campaign around a pro-business outlook.[12] In May 2026, businessman and three-time mayoral candidate Willie Wilson established an exploratory committee for a potential fourth mayoral bid.[14]

On June 3, outgoing Illinois Comptroller and 2019 mayoral candidate Susana Mendoza announced her candidacy for mayor under the slogan “progress that people can actually feel” promising to reduce rent while also increasing welfare benefits.[15][16] Mendoza’s campaign was noted for her tough on crime stance and for running “to the right” of Johnson’s agenda.[7] On June 16, Cook County Board of Review member and former alderman George Cardenas announced his bid.[17] On June 25, former operating chair of the Chicago Housing Authority Matt Brewer announced his candidacy, a month after he was ousted from the role by Johnson following disagreements about the board's choice for the new CEO for the CHA.[18] Brewer has campaigned on a pro-business and affordability-focused platform, calling for increased housing development, business growth and a public safety strategy focused on prevention, intervention and enforcement.[19] On June 27, Quigley formally announced his campaign.[20]

By June 30, Giannoulias had approximately $21.85 million in campaign cash on hand, substantially more than the other mayoral contenders, dwarfing the $631,309 cash on hand by Johnson, $376,676 by Quigley, and $278,000 by Pappas.[21] In a poll held in July 2026 only 13.6% of Chicago residents wanted mayor Johnson to run again, while 58% said they were not excited for a potential Johnson campaign.[22] In the same poll 53% of residents were excited for a Giannoulias mayoral bid, and 47% where excited for Mendoza's bid.[22] On August 2, Giannoulias announced his candidacy for mayor claiming Mayor Johnson "has not met the moment" and vowing to hire 1,000 additional police officers by 2030. Giannoulias also called for universal pre-K, raising the minimum wage, expanding affordable housing and reforming property taxes.[23] Three days later on August 5, businessman Willie Wilson declared his candidacy.[24] On August 10, Liam Stanton suspended his campaign and subsequently endorsed Giannoulias.[25]

Candidates

Declared

Candidate Experience Announced Ref

Matt Brewer		 Operating chair of Chicago Housing Authority
(2024–2026)
Chicago Housing Authority commissioner
(2013–present)[26]
June 25, 2026
Website		 [18]

George Cardenas		 Member of the Cook County Board of Review from the 1st district
(2022–present)
Alderman from the 12th ward
(2003–2022)
June 16, 2026
Website		 [17]
Alexi Giannoulias
Alexi Giannoulias		 Illinois Secretary of State
(2023–present)
Illinois Treasurer
(2007–2011)
August 2, 2026
Website		 [27]

Joe Holberg		 Founder and CEO of Holberg Financial
(2015–2023)
October 6, 2025
Website		 [28]

Susana Mendoza		 Illinois Comptroller
(2016–present)
Chicago City Clerk
(2011–2016)
2019 mayoral candidate
June 3, 2026
Website		 [29][30]

Mike Quigley		 U.S. representative from Illinois's 5th congressional district
(2009–present)
Cook County commissioner
(1998–2009)
June 27, 2026
Website		 [20]

Willie Wilson		 Businessman
2015, 2019 and 2023 mayoral candidate
August 5, 2026
Website		 [24]

Minor candidates

Withdrawn

Candidate Experience Campaign Campaign
announced		 Campaign
suspended		 Ref

Liam Stanton		 Businessman
Website		 February 22, 2026 August 10, 2026
(endorsed Giannoulias)		 [37][25]

Announcement pending

Expressed interest

Declined

Endorsements

Alexi Giannoulias
Local officials
Individuals
  • Liam Stanton, businessman and former mayoral candidate[25]
Labor unions
Susana Mendoza
Local officials
Mike Quigley
Local officials
Willie Wilson
Local officials
Brandon Johnson (undeclared)
Individuals

Polling

Brandon Johnson vs. Maria Pappas
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 Brandon Johnson Maria Pappas Undecided
Victory Research (R)[10][A] September 27–29, 2025 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 23% 56% 21%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 Anthony Beale Kam Buckner Bill Conway Alexi Giannoulias Ja'Mal Green Luis Gutiérrez Brandon Johnson Susana Mendoza Paul Vallas Gilbert Villegas Willie Wilson Other /
Undecided
M3 Strategies[56] February 21–22, 2025 696 (LV) ± 3.7% 4% 6% 6% 21% 3% 5% 8% 12% 27% 2% 6% –

Notes

  1. 1 2 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
Partisan clients
  1. ↑ Poll sponsored by Pappas

References

  1. ↑ "Schedule of Elections - Revised.xlsx" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  2. ↑ Eng, Monica (March 27, 2024). "Why the Bring Chicago Home ballot measure failed". Axios. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 McClelland, Edward Robert. "Who Will Be Chicago's Next Mayor?". Chicago. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  4. ↑ Wall, Craig (March 23, 2026). "Chicago Mayor Johnson dodges reelection questions, comments on fired deputy mayor for public safety". WLS-TV. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Sheridan, Jake; Quig, A.D.; Yin, Alice (January 18, 2026). "Well-funded potential challengers already circling Mayor Brandon Johnson". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Johnson says he's in no rush to announce plans on seeking 2nd term as Chicago mayor". WGN TV. July 30, 2026. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Chicago's Mayoral Race Is Taking Shape. But What About the Incumbent?". The New York Times. August 2, 2026. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Spielman, Fran (November 18, 2025). "Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas says she's running for mayor. She'll leave it at that for now". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ Kaufman, Elyssa; Harrington, Adam (November 18, 2025). "Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announces plans to run for mayor". CBS News. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Poll of 800 Likely Chicago Voters". Politico. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  11. ↑ Ahern, Mary Ann (January 7, 2026). "Rep. Mike Quigley says he'll run for mayor of Chicago in 2027 election". WMAQ-TV. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 De Mar, Charlie (January 9, 2026). "Congressman Mike Quigley to run for mayor of Chicago in 2027, saying city is "in crisis"". CBS News. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  13. ↑ Filbin, Patrick (March 18, 2026). "Mike Quigley Wins Democratic Primary For 5th Congressional District Seat". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Willie Wilson for Mayor 2027". Illinois State Board of Elections. May 19, 2026. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  15. ↑ Pyke, Marni. "Mendoza joins growing throng of Chicago mayoral hopefuls". Daily Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Susana Mendoza launches bid for Chicago mayor". AOL. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  17. 1 2 Feurer, Todd. "Former Ald. George Cardenas set to launch bid for mayor of Chicago". CBS. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  18. 1 2 "Matt Brewer, former chair of Chicago Housing Authority, running for Chicago mayor - CBS Chicago". CBS News. June 25, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  19. ↑ Hawkins, Shelby (July 8, 2026). "Mayoral Candidate Matt Brewer on Housing, Public Safety and Chicago's Business Community". WTTW. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  20. 1 2 "U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley announces campaign for Chicago mayor". Chicago Tribune. June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  21. ↑ Spielman, Fran (July 15, 2026). "With mayoral race looming, Mayor Johnson falls further behind Giannoulias in fundraising". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  22. 1 2 Tye, Chris. "Poll finds few Chicago voters want Mayor Brandon Johnson to run for re-election". CBS. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Backed by Trade Unions, Alexi Giannoulias Launches Campaign for Chicago Mayor". WTTW. August 2, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Businessman Willie Wilson Running for Chicago Mayor for 4th Time". August 5, 2026. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  25. 1 2 3 "Chicago mayoral candidate Liam Stanton withdraws, endorses Alexi Giannoulias". CBS News. August 10, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Board Members". Chicago Housing Authority. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Joining mayor's race, Giannoulias casts himself as a coalition builder, says Johnson 'has not met the moment'". Chicago Sun-Times. August 2, 2026. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  28. ↑ ""I just can't wait:" First candidate enters Chicago mayor's race". WBBM. October 6, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025 – via MSN.
  29. ↑ "Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces campaign for mayor of Chicago". MSN. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces campaign for Chicago mayor". Chicago Sun-Times. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  31. 1 2 3 4 "Who's running for Chicago mayor in 2027? Meet the candidates so far". Chicago Reader. June 29, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  32. 1 2 "Who Is Running For Chicago Mayor?". Block Club Chicago. June 28, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Lobbyist John Kelly launches campaign for Chicago Mayor on The Point". WGN TV. July 28, 2026. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Lifelong Chicagoan Johnny Logalbo Launches Campaign for Mayor". EinPressWire. April 25, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Cardiologist Dr. Lisa Nee enters 2027 Chicago mayoral race". MSN. July 7, 2026. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  36. ↑ NBC Chicago Staff (August 2, 2026). "Who is running for Chicago mayor? What to know after Alexi Giannoulias joins the race". NBC 5 Chicago.
  37. ↑ "Small business owner Liam Stanton announces run for Chicago mayor". CBS News. February 22, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  38. ↑ "2 names join the mayoral mix". Politico. May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Giannoulias pushes Chicago mayoral conversations off to after session". Capitol News Illinois. May 12, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  40. ↑ @whitesocksclips (August 26, 2026). "Nick Fuentes floats a run for mayor of Chicago" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  41. ↑ Ahern, Mary Ann (February 23, 2026). "Chicago's mayoral election is exactly 1 year away, and here's the current field". NBC Chicago. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  42. ↑ Mercado, Melody (July 30, 2026). "Ald. Bill Conway Launches Reelection Bid, Ending Speculation About Mayoral Run". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel fuels 2028 speculation with New Hampshire Bike Tour". ABC7. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Chuy Garcia chats about dropping reelection bid, career". Chicago Sun-Times. November 14, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  45. ↑ Hinz, Craig (November 21, 2024). "Johnson's Weakness Is Spurring An Early Start to the Next Mayoral Sweepstakes". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  46. ↑ Turbay, Laura (August 15, 2025). "Janice Jackson Takes New job at Vistria Group, Dismisses Talk of Mayoral Run". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  47. 1 2 "Mendoza announces 2027 mayoral bid, citing financial crisis and public safety failures". Southwest Regional Publishing. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  48. ↑ "So, Who's Running for Mayor?". CityCast. June 28, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  49. ↑ Bradley, Tahman; Leidigh, Sean. "Paul Vallas discusses upcoming mayoral race". WGN-TV. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  50. ↑ Andre for Chicago (July 16, 2026). "Join us TODAY for our campaign kickoff at Fireside! Come meet your neighbors, hear what's ahead, and help us kick off this campaign together. We can't wait to see you there!". Instagram. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Teamsters Joint Council 25 has endorsed Alexi Giannoulias for the 2027 Chicago Mayoral election". Facebook. Teamsters Joint Council 25. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  52. 1 2 "Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces another run for Chicago mayor". Chicago Tribune. June 3, 2026. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  53. ↑ Giangreco, Leigh (June 28, 2026). "U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley Uses State Of Uptown Theatre As Metaphor In Mayoral Campaign Kickoff". Block Club Chicago.
  54. ↑ "Richard Boykin demands apology from Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas for vulgar text messages". MSN. August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Week in Review: CPS Budget, Cellphone Ban and Chicago's Mayoral Race". WTTW News. Retrieved August 9, 2026. Chicago Teachers Union president Stacy Davis Gates endorses another term for Mayor Brandon Johnson before he's announced his plans for reelection.
  56. ↑ "Poll: Mayor Johnson's re-elect in crowded field is 8 percent; Just 7 percent view him favorably, 80 percent unfavorably (Updated)". Capitol Fax. February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.

Official campaign websites

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