Early Players Enter Evanston's Mayoral Election: What You Need To Know

EVANSTON, IL — The field of candidates vying to become Mayor of Evanston is growing as three people have filed the early paperwork to run.

Last month, current mayor Daniel Biss announced that he plans to resign from the position on Oct. 18 as he continues his campaign for Congress in the 9th District. This will trigger a special election next spring.

Candidates can start collecting signatures as soon as July 28 and have until October to gather enough to get on the ballot. If three or more candidates qualify for the ballot, it will trigger a primary election on Feb. 23.

As of Thursday, three candidates have stated their intent to run in the 2027 mayoral election.

Jeff Boarini, who ran against Biss in 2025, said he plans to run again. In his last run, Boarini campaigned for a more transparent government and budget, as well as more supportive involvement in neighborhood schools from the mayor.

Patch reached out to Boarini for comment, but he has not yet responded.

Newcomer and nonprofit leader Jade Carpenter registered a candidate committee for Evanston mayor on July 1, which allows candidates to begin raising and spending money on a campaign.

"I'm running for mayor because I believe in this community. I'm a lawyer, a mom, and someone who knows firsthand what happens when institutions fail the people counting on them. Evanston residents have spent years doing the hard work of imagining its future. Now it's time to continue building on that vision. I'll have more to share in the weeks ahead, but for now, I'm simply grateful to be in the race," Carpenter told Patch in an email.

On Wednesday, local activist Elliot Oats also registered a candidate committee for his campaign in the race.

Patch reached out to Oats for comment, but he has not yet responded.

Whoever wins in the April 6 election will serve the remaining two years of Biss' term. The next regular election is in 2029, when all the city's elected positions will be up for four-year terms.