CHICAGO, IL — Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced Sunday that he is running for mayor of Chicago, ending months of speculation and entering an already crowded race with strong name recognition, union backing and a significant fund-raising advantage.
Giannoulias launched his campaign at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134 headquarters in Bronzeville, where he was joined by supporters from the city council, labor groups and the business community, according to Chicago Tribune. During his speech, Giannoulias emphasized themes of unity, optimism and his ties to Chicago communities and former President Barack Obama, while criticizing what he described as divisive politics.
His campaign rollout sought to position him as a consensus candidate focused on bringing Chicagoans together ahead of the 2027 mayoral election, the Chicago Tribune reports.
"Not leadership that seeks to divide us, but that tries to unite us, that focuses on our common goals and dreams for our families, because that's who we are," he said.
Giannoulias joins a growing field of candidates seeking to replace Mayor Brandon Johnson in the 2027 election, which is scheduled for Feb. 23, with a possible runoff set for April 6. Johnson has not yet announced if he will run for re-election.
According to Block Club Chicago, Giannoulias has built a impressive campaign coffers, reporting nearly $22 million on hand in June, fueled by support from unions and major donors. During his campaign launch, Giannoulias outlined priorities including higher wages, more affordable housing, universal pre-K and a "fairer" tax system for working families.
He also said he supports bringing back ShotSpotter, hiring 1,000 additional Chicago police officers and improving city services while criticizing federal immigration enforcement efforts, according to Block Club Chicago.
"ICE has terrorized our neighborhoods, our communities, our families. It has not made us a safer, better place," he said.
Giannoulias criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson's leadership, saying the administration "has not met the moment," while adding that "his heart's in the right place," according to Chicago Sun-Times. He said effective leadership requires "forming coalitions and working with people," arguing that Johnson has fallen short in building support for his priorities.
Giannoulias said he believes "fundamentally that government can be competent and compassionate" and promised to bring that approach to city hall.
"I'm asking you to believe again — to believe government can once again be worthy of the people it serves," Giannoulias said during his campaign launch. "Together we will write the next chapter of the greatest city in the world, so let's do this together."
Giannoulias joins a packed field, which includes Susana Mendoza, Illinois comptroller and former Chicago city clerk; Mike Quigley, U.S. representative for Illinois' 5th Congressional District; George Cardenas, Cook County Board of Review commissioner and former Chicago alderman; businessman Joe Holberg; and Maria Pappas, Cook County treasurer, according to NBC Chicago.
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