Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has launched his re-election campaign, presenting his administration as a force for progress despite weak approval ratings and a growing field of challengers seeking to unseat him in 2027.
Mr Johnson made the announcement at the DuSable Black History Museum in Washington Park on Sunday, where supporters gathered for the campaign launch. He told the crowd that “progress has been made” and called for a renewed effort to build a safer, more affordable and climate-resilient city. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/14/brandon-johnson-reelection-chicago-mayor-giannoulias-mendoza-quigley))
The mayor is seeking a second term at a difficult moment politically. A University of Chicago poll reported in July put his approval rating at 23 per cent, while only 13.6 per cent of respondents said they were enthusiastic about another Johnson campaign. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/mayor-brandon-johnson-special-announcement-possible-reelection-campaign/))
His declared opponents include Illinois secretary of state Alexi Giannoulias, state comptroller Susana Mendoza, congressman Mike Quigley, Cook County Board of Review commissioner George Cardenas and businessman Willie Wilson, alongside several other candidates.
The 2027 Chicago mayoral election is scheduled for February 23, with a run-off due on April 6 if no candidate secures more than half of the vote. Johnson’s campaign reported about $631,000 in its fund for the filing period ending in June, compared with nearly $22 million declared by Mr Giannoulias. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/14/brandon-johnson-reelection-chicago-mayor-giannoulias-mendoza-quigley))
Mr Johnson has sought to highlight falling homicide numbers, investment in violence-intervention programmes, expanded mental-health services and youth employment. His campaign will also face scrutiny over the city’s finances, with the mayor’s office forecasting an $882.4 million budget gap for 2027. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/09/14/brandon-johnson-reelection-chicago-mayor-giannoulias-mendoza-quigley))
