Mendoza won’t run for fourth term as comptroller — says she’ll go ‘where I’m needed most.’

Longtime Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced it’s her last term Wednesday.

“So, what’s next? I’m definitely not done serving,” Mendoza said at a news conference in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, where she was born.

“Moving forward, I’m going to figure out what the right move is for my family, for our city and our state,” Mendoza said.

“To find out where I’m needed most. What’s the next biggest challenge I need to take on. Because no challenge is too big as far as I’m concerned. And when I decide what that is, you better believe, I’ll be all in.”

The decision leaves another high-profile office up for grabs in the 2026 election, with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin exiting and U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Jan Schakowsky not seeking reelection.

The Chicago Democrat served as a state representative from 2001 to 2011. She later was elected as Chicago city clerk and in 2016 was sworn in as comptroller, the first Hispanic independently elected to a statewide position.

She touted her successes addressing unpaid state bills that accumulated during former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration, and modernizing Chicago’s 105-year-old vehicle sticker registration program.

Despite critics saying the update was too risky and would fail, “it worked, saving Chicago residents time and money,” and generating millions in revenues, Mendoza said.

It’s been rumored Mendoza might challenge Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2027 but she did not address that Wednesday.

Mendoza ran for mayor in 2019, announcing her campaign shortly after winning reelection as comptroller in late 2018. She fell behind Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who had a runoff election.

Mendoza has suburban roots, graduating from Bolingbrook High School, where she was a soccer standout.