Sixteen candidates file to run for Chicago mayor in 2027
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Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas poses next to her stack of what her campaign reports is almost 40,000 petitions to run for Chicago mayor. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
Monday saw 10 more candidates file petitions to run in the 2027 Chicago mayor's race, bringing the total to 16.
Why it matters: The filings suggest that Chicago's tough signature rules have already weeded out at least two mayoral hopefuls and could eliminate more before the ballot is finalized in December.
Shocking stats: Mayoral contenders in Chicago must turn in 12,500 unique signatures — and ideally twice that number to survive the brutal signature challenges that will unfold in the coming weeks.
- But to file for mayor in New York, candidates need just 3,750 signatures and 500 in Los Angeles.
State of play: Those who've filed and self-reported their signature counts include:
- Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, 60K
- U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, 42K
- Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, nearly 40K
- Lobbyist John Kelly, 36K
- Mayor Brandon Johnson, 33K
- Entrepreneur Joe Holberg, "over 32K"
- CHA commissioner and Wiener's Circle co-owner Matt Brewer, 32K
- Cardiologist and public policy adviser Lisa Nee, 31K
- Attorney and former general counsel to Rod Blagojevich, Bill Quinlan, 31K
- Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas, 31K
- Businessman Willie Wilson, 30K
- Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, 26K
- Developer Zoe Ma, "over 17K"
- Co-founder of Chicago conservative group Chicago Flips Red Danielle Carter-Walters,"well-over 12.5K."
Reality check: Even though Jessica Maronto and John Kitover filed their papers for mayor, they both expressed doubts about qualifying and expect to be write-in candidates.
- Veterans group co-founder Toni Brooks had not filed by this week's deadline.
Ward wonders: Monday's filings suggest at least 10 wards, including the 4th, 10th, 11th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 40th, 41st, 47th and 50th, will likely see uncontested aldermanic races.
What's next: Signature challenges must be filed by Nov. 2, and the ballot will be finalized on Dec. 17.