Overview
- The Brandon Johnson For Chicago political organization emailed supporters on Aug. 31 inviting them to a “special announcement” set for Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4 p.m., roughly an hour after the Chicago Bears’ season opener.
- Reporters and a longtime political analyst say the invitation is widely expected to be the formal start of Johnson’s 2027 re-election campaign, though the mayor has not publicly confirmed a run.
- Johnson faces weak public support going into the decision, with a July University of Chicago Mansueto Institute poll showing about 23% approval and roughly 14% of residents excited for another Johnson campaign.
- The field is already crowded with high-profile challengers and early organizing: Alexi Giannoulias has entered with a large war chest, Susana Mendoza and Mike Quigley have signaled or launched bids, and nominating petitions are currently circulating ahead of fall filing deadlines.
- If Johnson declares, the announcement will reshape voter choices and campaign messaging, pushing candidates to focus on Chicago’s budget pressures and public-safety concerns and determining who can marshal the money and endorsements to compete.