2027 Chicago mayoral candidates take first step to City Hall
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Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias delivers his mayoral nominating petitions, which measured more than 2 feet, Monday morning at the Chicago Board of Elections. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
At least five mayoral candidates lined up outside the Chicago Board of Elections Monday morning to throw their hats in the ring for the city's top job in 2027.
Why it matters: The ritual — which saw hundreds lining up to file for other municipal seats — kicks off what promises to be one of Chicago's most colorful mayoral races this coming February.
State of play: Monday's mayoral applicants, who must still survive brutal petition challenges, include:
- Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias
- Businessman Willie Wilson
- U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley
- CHA commissioner and co-owner of The Wiener's Circle Matt Brewer
- Lobbyist John Kelly
Others expected to file before next week's deadline include:
- Mayor Brandon Johnson
- Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
- Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza
- Entrepreneur Joe Holberg
- Developer Zoe Ma
- Attorney and former general counsel to Rod Blagojevich, Bill Quinlan
- Cardiologist and public policy adviser Lisa Nee
- Co-founder of Chicago conservative group Chicago Flips Red Danielle Carter-Walters
- Co-founder of female veterans group Toni Brooks
- Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas
The big picture: This crowded field reflects the opportunity many see to unseat Johnson, whose approval ratings dropped to 22% in the latest Mansueto/NORC poll.
- The survey of more than 1,100 adults found that 25% chose Giannoulias as their top choice so far.
The controversies
Running while running: Quinlan vows to continue his fight to force three likely rivals to choose between the mayoral race and reelection to their current offices on Nov. 3.
- His complaint names Giannoulias, Pappas and Quigley.
- A Cook County judge dismissed his case last week as premature because no candidates have been certified yet.
- Quinlan is appealing the ruling and tells Axios, "If these people want to run for mayor, they should run for mayor. If they want to run for their job, they should run for their job. They shouldn't be misleading the voters."
The other side: Neither Quigley nor Giannoulias seemed concerned about the appeal.
- "Voters are the ones who will make those choices," Quigley tells Axios. "Let's remember Harold Washington, Danny Davis, Bobby Rush, Chuy Garcia" all ran for Congress and mayor.
- "We're talking to voters about what they care about, which is affordability and safe streets," Giannoulias tells Axios.
The intrigue: If a judge eventually rules that running for two offices disqualifies a candidate, Quinlan believes Republicans could take over important Illinois seats.
- Asked whether he would push it that far, Quinlan says he doesn't know.
Suspicious letter scare: Both Quigley and Pappas received envelopes containing a threatening letter and white powder that turned out to be baking soda.
Monica's thought bubble: I loved running into our media league softball umpire Mike Lewis at the front of the line with candidate Willie Wilson Monday morning. He said reps had been in line since Saturday night.
- I was also thankful to whoever brought boxes of Chinese pork buns from Chiu Quon Bakery. I suspect it was 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee.
- These touches gave the event a nice small-town vibe.
What's next: Municipal nominating petitions must be filed by Oct. 26.
- The ballot is scheduled for certification on Dec. 17, 2026
- Municipal elections will be held on Feb. 23, 2027.