Overview
- Johnson formally submitted nominating petitions on Friday and turned in about 33,000 signatures, well above the 12,500 valid-signature threshold and backed by roughly 2,500 volunteers.
- He told reporters he will not challenge other candidates' petitions and downplayed the lottery that can determine top or bottom ballot placement for first- and last-day filers.
- Johnson enters the campaign with clear political headwinds: a recent NORC poll shows a 22% approval rating, the Service Employees International Union has withdrawn support, and his campaign cash balance is roughly $379,471.
- His biggest rival, Alexi Giannoulias, has reported a large signature surplus and about $19 million in campaign funds, and the filing window stays open through Oct. 26 with petition challenges to follow and a Dec. 17 certification ahead of the Feb. 23, 2027 election.
- City Council budget committee members met with an Ernst & Young consultant and said the administration has implemented only a fraction of recommended savings, a line of scrutiny that could force Johnson to defend spending choices that affect city services and tax proposals.