Mendoza joins growing throng of Chicago mayoral hopefuls

Pushing a message of “progress that people can actually feel,” outgoing Illinois Comptroller Susanna Mendoza jumped into the simmering Chicago mayor’s race Wednesday.

The field of politicians aiming to replace incumbent Mayor Brandon Johnson is already crowded but “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” Mendoza said in a new video.

“About how a city this strong should work better for the people who built it. Chicago deserves more than promises. It deserves progress.

“Too many people feel abandoned by city hall. Families are being squeezed by rising rents, higher fees and property taxes,” she said.

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 election is Feb. 23, 2027, with a runoff scheduled April 6 if needed.

Other declared candidates are U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, who represents the largely suburban 5th District in Congress; Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas; business owner Joe Holberg and entrepreneur Liam Stanton.

Another statewide leader, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, is also rumored to be considering a run. If he joined the fray, Giannoulias would be the leading fundraiser.

Johnson has not formally declared whether he’ll seek reelection.

It’s the second mayoral campaign for Mendoza, who fell short to rivals Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2019. That election was roiled by a federal corruption case against disgraced former Alderman Ed Burke, who had ties to a number of candidates including Mendoza and Preckwinkle.

On Wednesday, Mendoza touted accomplishments including school breakfast legislation as a state representative, modernizing the dated vehicle sticker program as Chicago city clerk, and ending a backlog of unpaid state bills as comptroller.

Mendoza also touched on safety and the high cost of living.

“Chicagoans are tired of paying more and getting less. Tired of politics that divide people without solving problems,” she said.

Mendoza was born in Little Village but has suburban roots, graduating from Bolingbrook High School, where she was a soccer standout.