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]

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.[6] 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.[6] Pappas has routinely challenged Johnson's more progressive taxation proposals.[6][7] 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.[8]

On January 6, 2026, U.S. representative Mike Quigley announced his intent to run.[9][10] 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.[10][11] 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.[10] 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.[12][13] On June 16, Cook County Board of Review member and former alderman George Cardenas announced his bid.[14] 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.[15] On June 27, Quigley formally announced his campaign.[16]

Other potential candidates who have been the subject of media speculation include Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and alderman Bill Conway.[5][3] By April 16, despite not announcing his intention to run Giannoulias had raised $18.3 million through his political action committee that could be used for a mayoral bid, dwarfing the $813,000 raised by Johnson, $300,000 by Quigley, and $278,000 by Pappas.[17]

Candidates

Declared

Candidate Experience Announced Ref

Matt Brewer		 Operating chair of Chicago Housing Authority
(2024–2026)
Chicago Housing Authority commissioner
(2013–2025)
June 25, 2026
Website		 [15]

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		 [14]

Joe Holberg		 Founder and CEO of Holberg Financial
(2015–2023)
October 6, 2025
Website		 [18]

Susana Mendoza		 Illinois Comptroller
(2016–present)
Chicago City Clerk
(2011–2016)
2019 mayoral candidate
June 3, 2026
Website		 [19][20]

Mike Quigley		 U.S. representative from Illinois's 5th congressional district
(2009–present)
Cook County commissioner
(1998–2009)
June 27, 2026
Website		 [16]

Liam Stanton		 Business owner

February 22, 2026
Website

 [21]

Minor candidates

  • LaTonia "Toni" Brooks, non-profit executive and organizer[22]
  • Danielle Carter-Walters, business owner, retired police officer and co-founder of Chicago Flips Red[23]
  • Johnny Logalbo, addiction recovery counselor[24]
  • Lisa Nee, cardiologist[23][22]

Announcement pending

Expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Endorsements

Susana Mendoza
Local officials
Mike Quigley
Local officials

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)[8][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 Giannoualis Ja'Mal Green Luis Gutiérrez Brandon Johnson Susana Mendoza Paul Vallas Gilbert Villegas Willie Wilson Other /
Undecided
M3 Strategies[41] 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 4 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 3 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. 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.
  7. ↑ Kaufman, Elyssa; Harrington, Adam (November 18, 2025). "Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announces plans to run for mayor". CBS News. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Poll of 800 Likely Chicago Voters". Politico. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. 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.
  11. ↑ Filbin, Patrick (March 18, 2026). "Mike Quigley Wins Democratic Primary For 5th Congressional District Seat". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  12. ↑ Pyke, Marni. "Mendoza joins growing throng of Chicago mayoral hopefuls". Daily Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Susana Mendoza launches bid for Chicago mayor". AOL. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Feurer, Todd. "Former Ald. George Cardenas set to launch bid for mayor of Chicago". CBS. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Matt Brewer, former chair of Chicago Housing Authority, running for Chicago mayor - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. June 25, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  16. 1 2 "U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley announces campaign for Chicago mayor". Chicago Tribune. June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  17. ↑ Ahern, Mary Ann. "Chicago mayoral election 2027: Alexi Giannoulias has huge fundraising edge". WMAQ-TV. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  18. ↑ ""I just can't wait:" First candidate enters Chicago mayor's race". WBBM. October 6, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025 – via MSN.
  19. ↑ "Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces campaign for mayor of Chicago". MSN. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces campaign for Chicago mayor". Chicago Sun-Times. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Small business owner Liam Stanton announces run for Chicago mayor". CBS News. February 22, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Who's running for Chicago mayor in 2027? Meet the candidates so far". Chicago Reader. June 29, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Who Is Running For Chicago Mayor?". Block Club Chicago. June 28, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Lifelong Chicagoan Johnny Logalbo Launches Campaign for Mayor". EinPressWire. April 25, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  25. ↑ "2 names join the mayoral mix". Politico. May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Giannoulias pushes Chicago mayoral conversations off to after session". Capitol News Illinois. May 12, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  27. 1 2 Shaw, Andy (February 2, 2026). "2027 mayoral race piquing interest of notable names". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  28. ↑ McClelland, Edward Robert (January 12, 2026). "Who Will Be Chicago's Next Mayor?". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  29. ↑ KAPOS, SHIA (January 6, 2026). "Giannoulias cash surge fuels City Hall buzz". Politico. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ Herguth, Robert (January 29, 2026). "Veteran lobbyist with clients who regularly intersect with City Hall weighs run for Chicago mayor". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  32. ↑ "'Did Not Know It Was Even Possible to Go That Low': You Won't Believe Chicago Mayor's Favorable Ratings". Townhall. February 24, 2025. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  33. 1 2 "So, Who's Running for Mayor?". CityCast. June 28, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  34. ↑ Kapos, Shia (January 21, 2026). "Chicago mayor's race: wink, wink". Politico. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel fuels 2028 speculation with New Hampshire Bike Tour". ABC7. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Chuy Garcia chats about dropping reelection bid, career". Chicago Sun-Times. November 14, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  37. ↑ 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.
  38. ↑ 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.
  39. 1 2 3 4 "Mendoza announces 2027 mayoral bid, citing financial crisis and public safety failures". Southwest Regional Publishing. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  40. ↑ Giangreco, Leigh (June 28, 2026). "U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley Uses State Of Uptown Theatre As Metaphor In Mayoral Campaign Kickoff". Block Club Chicago.
  41. ↑ "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

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2027_Chicago_mayoral_election