Most eyes in the political world are on 2026, but with the Chicago mayor’s race 18 months away, potential candidates are talking to donors and weighing whether to run.
Among the candidates who are in the “maybe” column is long-time Rep. Mike Quigley, who has been in office since 2009 and who has been crisscrossing the city, talking to various groups, according to NBC 5 Political Reporter Mary Ann Ahern.
Quigley isn’t among the Illinois Congressional delegation members who aren’t seeking reelection, as Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi are seeking to claim Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat. Quigley is running for reelection in the fifth district, but the Chicago mayoral race will take place in February 2027, giving him precious little time to turn around and mount a run for that office.
Still, Quigley spoke openly about the challenges Chicago faces, which could pose a hurdle to current Mayor Brandon Johnson’s reelection chances.
“We’re not at a crossroads. The crossroads was 12 years ago,” he said. “We keep spitballing and using spackle to put this together.”
Anyone who seeks election to the mayor’s office would be tasked with confronting a host of issues, including pressure from the Trump administration, a budget crisis that sees a deficit of more than $1 billion, and a Chicago Public Schools budget that is facing its own budget woes.
Johnson has proposed to address the latter deficit with a $200 million loan, something Quigley criticized.
“It’s a horrible idea,” he said. “Stepping back to broader issues, I don’t know how CPS avoids bankruptcy.”
Quigley also addressed transit funding issues, which come as the CTA embarks on a $3.6 billion project to extend the Red Line.
“Should it cost a billion dollars for a mile for that extension? How much of that is our fault? It’s a quarter of that (cost) in Europe,” he said.
Quigley got his start in politics as a Cook County Commissioner who was aggressive in pushing for budget transparency, but he’s just one of many potential candidates who could seek the Chicago mayor’s office.
In addition to Quigley and Johnson, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has been viewed as a potential candidate. Comptroller Susana Mendoza won’t seek reelection to office in 2026, fueling speculation that she could run for Chicago mayor.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Wednesday that she would not seek reelection to the post, opening the door for a run for a different office.
“I’m leaving the door open, but I’m going to take some time to figure out that next big huge challenge,” she said when asked if she was considering a mayoral run.
Businessman Willie Wilson may also mount another run for office. Several members of Chicago’s City Council, who have been fierce critics of Johnson, have also been connected to potential runs, including Alds. Bill Conway, Brian Hopkins and Brendan Reilly.
Whichever candidate ends up winning the race, Quigley said a key ingredient to their success will be a willingness to make tough choices, even if it results in them losing the 2031 race.
“They’re going to have to have the courage to say ‘I care so much about the city, I won’t worry about the next election,’” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
