Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Monday she would be running for mayor of Chicago in two years.
Pappas, 76, made the surprising announcement during an appearance on Fox 32’s ChicagoLIVE.
“I’m in,” she said. “And I’m not getting out. I just haven’t announced.”
She said the city needs “a gray-haired grandmother who’s got the cajones to get everybody in shape.”
She added Chicago needs someone who can “get everybody in a room” and make tough decisions to “get this train back on track because it’s off track.”
Pappas, who has served as treasurer since 1998 pointed to her record as treasurer, saying she’s “ready for the challenge” and “really ready to move forward.”
Columnist Ray Hanania predicted in his column last week that she would jump into the race for mayor.
Pappas is one of the county’s longest-serving elected officials and is running for re-election in 2026.
She is one of several high-profile names now considering a challenge to Mayor Brandon Johnson in the 2027 election.