Alexi Giannoulias announced his candidacy for Chicago mayor Sunday, entering a race that already includes Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and nine other declared candidates.
The Illinois Secretary of State, 50, made his announcement in a video posted early Sunday and at a rally that evening at IBEW Local 134 in Bronzeville. He framed his campaign around his immigrant family’s story — his mother worked at Sears, his father sold pickles — and cited his track record as the state’s youngest-ever treasurer.
“I am thrilled, honored, and deeply humbled to announce that I am running to be the next mayor,” Giannoulias said in the video. “Chicagoans need to demand better from City Hall.”
His campaign has $21.9 million in cash on hand, the most of any declared candidate. Businessman John Kelly, who helped close the Bally’s casino deal, has $2 million on hand and is second-best funded. Entrepreneur Joe Holberg, a former math teacher, has $1 million on hand.
Mendoza, the Illinois Comptroller, skipped reelection to run for mayor. Quigley, who represents the 5th Congressional District, is running for reelection to Congress at the same time he seeks the mayoralty.
Other declared candidates include Willie Wilson, a businessman and philanthropist on his fourth mayoral bid; George Cardenas, a Cook County Board of Review member and former alderman; Matt Brewer, former Chicago Housing Authority board chair and CEO; Liam Stanton, a small business owner and venture capital founder running against “career politicians”; Dr. Lisa Nee, an interventional cardiologist and VA whistleblower; and Mark Su, a businessman and former Republican congressional candidate.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has not declared his candidacy. His campaign has $631,000 on hand. Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has said she will announce after her November reelection.
Candidates must file petitions by Oct. 26, 2026. The mayoral election is Feb. 23, 2027, with a runoff scheduled for April 6 if no candidate receives 50% of the vote.
On Johnson’s record:
Giannoulias criticized the Johnson administration directly, saying it “has not met the moment” and describing it as “a revolving door of senior leadership.” He also called the Chicago Public Schools board’s budget approach “dangerously irresponsible.”
Platform priorities:
Giannoulias laid out five main planks: hire 1,000 additional police officers by 2030 and restore ShotSpotter; support a 3% tax on income over $1 million, property tax reform, and a higher minimum wage; expand universal pre-K and address 145 under-enrolled schools through community-driven investment rather than top-down closures; deliver affordable housing and modernize city services; and oppose ICE operations, which he said have “terrorized our neighborhoods.”