Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has officially entered the race for a second term. The mayor announced his reelection bid on Sunday and pledged to continue work on key issues facing the city.
Johnson first revealed his plans through a video posted on social media. The video reviewed actions taken by his administration since he became mayor in 2023. It ended with supporters calling for “Four more years.”
Later that day, Johnson made his formal announcement during an event at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. Speaking before supporters, he said Chicago still has important work ahead.
Johnson told the crowd that his administration is focused on building a city that remains affordable for working families. He said progress has been made, but many goals still need attention.
The mayor used the event to highlight priorities for a possible second term. He called for greater investment in public schools, more affordable housing projects, and expanded access to mental health services. He also repeated his support for policies that place a larger tax burden on wealthy residents while helping working-class communities.
Johnson argued that his record already shows results. He said voters should judge his campaign on actions taken during his time in office rather than promises about the future.
The announcement places Johnson in a busy and highly competitive mayoral race. Chicago voters will choose their next mayor on February 23, 2027. More than a dozen candidates have already joined the contest.
The large field means candidates will spend the coming months competing for support, campaign donations, and public attention. Johnson’s decision to enter the race later than some rivals may create additional challenges as fundraising efforts increase.
Campaign finances are expected to be a major issue. Several opponents have already built strong financial operations. Public reports show that some candidates have significantly larger campaign resources available as the race begins.
Among those seeking the office is Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. He announced his candidacy earlier and quickly became one of the best-funded candidates in the race.
After Johnson’s announcement, Giannoulias released a video message. In it, he said Chicago deserves leadership based on accountability, integrity, and trust. He also stressed the importance of delivering on commitments made to residents.
Another candidate, Susana Mendoza, responded with criticism of the mayor’s record. Mendoza launched her campaign months earlier and has focused much of her message on public safety concerns.
She said many neighborhoods continue to face serious challenges despite reports showing changes in crime levels. Mendoza argued that residents should feel safe in every part of the city, not only in selected areas.
Her statement also suggested that city leadership should be judged by how safe people feel in their daily lives. She called for stronger progress across neighborhoods that continue to struggle with violence.
Candidate John Kelly also reacted to Johnson’s reelection launch. Kelly said many of the concerns he hears from voters differ from the picture presented by the mayor.
He pointed to worries about safety on public transportation. According to Kelly, some residents spend extra money on transportation because they do not feel comfortable using trains or walking near stations at night.
Kelly said those concerns affect both safety and affordability. He argued that many families are forced to make difficult financial choices because of those issues.
As part of his campaign platform, Kelly proposed adding 1,000 police officers, increasing security across transit routes, encouraging business investment in downtown areas, and controlling property tax growth.
He said the election will give voters a chance to decide what direction they want the city to take in the future. Kelly described himself as a problem solver and said he wants to focus on practical solutions.
The mayoral race is still in its early stages, but major issues are already becoming clear. Public safety, housing, education, taxes, economic development, and affordability are expected to dominate campaign discussions.
With the election more than a year away, candidates now face the task of building momentum and reaching voters across the city. Johnson enters the race defending his record, while challengers argue that Chicago needs a different approach. The debate over the city’s future is likely to intensify as the campaign moves forward.
