The Latest Candidates Running For Mayor

Over the weekend, Mayor Brandon Johnson officially launched his reelection campaign, joining a race that includes roughly a dozen other challengers.

Let’s review who they all are:

Mayor Brandon Johnson previously teased his announcement with City Cast Chicago last week. He also talked about the wins of his progressive administration. However, his campaign launch comes amid low approval ratings.

Susana Mendoza, Illinois State Comptroller and former Chicago City Clerk, is using social media to amplify (or soften?) her image. A centrist Democrat, Mendoza is pro-police and says Chicago is facing public safety and financial crises.

Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State, is generally considered to have improved office (and line) conditions … but in 2010, the collapse of his family's bank cost him the U.S. Senate election. Giannoulias lost to Republican Mark Kirk.

Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer, has served in that position since 1998 — though you may know her for her flamboyant clothes and damning property tax reports. She has said she’s running to stop Giannoulias. She’s also running to retain her seat in November.

Mike Quigley, U.S. Representative (5th), is simultaneously running for reelection and mayor. He’s represented much of the Northwest Side in Congress since 2009. Recently, he targeted Johnson’s use of TIF funds.

George Cardenas, Cook County Board of Review commissioner, and former 12th Ward alder, launched his campaign with a message that seemed relatively moderate — and a little vague.

Matt Brewer, former Chicago Housing Authority board chair, is an outspoken critic of Johsnon. Previously, Johnson attempted to remove Brewer as CHA board chair.

Other candidates include:

• Toni Brooks, a National Guard veteran and a nonprofit founder
• Zoe Ma, a real estate developer and progressive focused on tax reform
• Willie Wilson, the millionaire businessman running for the fourth time
• Dr. Lisa Nee, a cardiologist and public policy advisor
• Jabari Taylor, a health policy researcher
• Joe Holberg, an entrepreneur, former teacher, and wealth management firm CEO
• John Kelly, a businessman, lobbyist, and consulting firm CEO
• Jessica “Jesse” Maronto, a traffic signal repairperson with the Chicago Department of Transportation
• Bill Quinlan, an attorney
• Danielle Carter-Walters, a pro-Trump Republican and co-founder of Chicago Flips Red

Now remember: The field is almost certain to narrow after the Oct. 26 filing deadline, as petition challenges are likely to follow. The process of getting — then proving — signatures can be thorny.

After that, remaining candidates will campaign until the citywide election Feb. 23 … not to be confused with the mid-term election coming up Nov. 3, during which Chicago will vote on its first-ever fully elected school board 👀

Stay tuned for all of it!