2027 Chicago mayoral election

2027 Chicago mayoral election

←  2023 February 23, 2027 2031 →

Incumbent Mayor Brandon Johnson

An election for mayor of Chicago is scheduled to be held on February 23, 2027. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election will be held on April 6, 2027. ^[1]

Candidates

Expressed interest

Potential candidates who have expressed an interest in running ^[a]

• 
  Former Mayor
  Rahm Emanuel
  (Democrat)

• Rahm Emanuel, former mayor (2011–2019), U.S. ambassador to Japan, 2022–2025, former White House chief of staff (2009–10), former U.S. congressman from IL–5 (2003–09), former senior advisor to the U.S. president (1993–98) ^{[2] [3]}

Potential

The following individuals have received media speculation as being prospective candidates:

• Kam Buckner, member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 26th district since 2019, candidate for mayor in 2023 ^[4]
• Bill Conway, Chicago City Council alderperson since 2023, candidate for Cook County state's attorney in 2020 ^[4]
• Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois secretary of state since 2023, former treasurer of Illinois (2007–11), Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2010 ^[4]
• Janice K. Jackson, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools (2017–2021) ^[5]
• Brandon Johnson, incumbent mayor since 2023 and former member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 1st district (2018–23) ^[4]
• Raymond Lopez, Chicago City Council alderperson from the 15th ward since 2015 ^{[6] [7]}
• Susana Mendoza, Illinois comptroller since 2016, former Chicago city clerk (2011–16), former member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2001–11), candidate for mayor in 2019 ^[4]
• Maria Pappas, Cook County treasurer since 1998, former member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners (from Chicago 1990–94, from 10th district 1994–1998) ^[5]
• Mike Quigley, U.S. congressperson from Illinois's 6th congressional district since 2009, former member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 10th district (1998–2009) ^[4]
• Brendan Reilly, Chicago City Council alderperson from the 42nd ward since 2007, former president pro tempore of the Chicago City Council (2019–2023), former vice Mayor of Chicago (2015–19) ^[8]
• Silvana Tabares, Chicago City Council alderperson from the 23rd ward since 2018, former member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 21st district (2013–18) ^[4]
• Anna M. Valencia, Chicago city clerk since 2017, candidate for Illinois secretary of state in 2022 ^[4]
• Paul Vallas, Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools (1995–2001), candidate for mayor in 2019 and 2023, Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014 and Democratic candidate for governor in 2002 ^[9]
• Gilbert Villegas, Chicago City Council alderperson from the 36th ward since 2015 ^[4]

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Anthony Beale	Kam Buckner	Bill Conway	Alexi Giannoualis	Ja'Mal Green	Luis Gutiérrez	Brandon Johnson	Susana Mendoza	Paul Vallas	Gilbert Villegas	Willie Wilson	Other / Undecided
M3 Strategies [10]	February 21–22, 2025	696 (LV)	± 3.71%	3.9%	6.3%	5.7%	21.0%	2.9%	5.1%	8.2%	11.7%	27.4%	2.0%	5.9%	–

Notes

1. Individuals listed below have personally expressed an interest in running for mayor in at least two reliable media sources in the last six months.
2. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

References

1. "Schedule of Elections - Revised.xlsx" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
2. "Rahm Emanuel won't rule out another run for Chicago mayor, but says city and Democratic Party need work". The Chicago Tribune. March 3, 2025. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
3. "Rahm Emanuel suggests he might want to run for mayor of Chicago again". CBS News. March 3, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
4. "Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias Urged to Consider Chicago Mayoral Run". NBC Chicago. November 20, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
5. Hinz, Craig (November 21, 2024). "Johnson's Weakness Is Spurring An Early Start to the Next Mayoral Sweepstakes". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
6. Noone, Sean (January 26, 2025). "Dems take 'government for granted' on immigration: Chicago alderman". News Nation. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
7. Sheridan, Jake (February 19, 2025). "Mayor Brandon Johnson's Infrastructure borrowing plan stalled by City Council Opponents". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
8. Speilman, Fran (September 12, 2024). "Brandon Johnson A 'Woefully Unprepared' Mayor, City Council Critic Says". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
9. "'Did Not Know It Was Even Possible to Go That Low': You Won't Believe Chicago Mayor's Favorable Ratings". Townhall. February 24, 2025. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
10. "Poll: Mayor Johnson's re-elect in crowded field is 8 percent; Just 7 percent view him favorably, 80 percent unfavorably (Updated)". Capitol Fax. February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.