CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson officially entered the 2027 reelection campaign Sunday, resolving months of speculation over his political future and launching a contest likely to place his first term under intense examination.
Speaking to supporters at an outdoor gathering on the DuSable Museum campus, Johnson argued that Chicago is “a better, stronger and safer city” than the one he inherited in 2023. He pointed to sharp declines in homicides and shootings, as well as expanded violence-prevention programs, youth employment initiatives, reopened mental health clinics and environmental efforts.
The mayor did not mention the mass shooting reported in Humboldt Park over the weekend.
“What’s up, Chicago?” Johnson called out as he stepped before the crowd. “Are you ready for four more years, Chicago?”
Rain forced organizers to postpone the event, which ultimately attracted a smaller audience than anticipated. Several attendees departed before the mayor’s remarks, but Johnson received support from a number of progressive allies who defended his record.
“After generations of having to speak truth to power, we finally got somebody on the fifth floor who’s practicing truth in power,” Pastor Tanya Lozano told the crowd.
Johnson used the speech to take aim at his political critics, including President Donald Trump and several rivals expected to challenge him in the mayoral race.
“He couldn’t break us. We’re still standing, and we are stronger than we’ve ever been before,” Johnson said, adding that voters must learn to distinguish “real progressives” from “posers.”
Drawing on his experience as a labor organizer, Johnson said he remained mindful of the people who helped propel him into office and insisted that Chicago belongs to its residents. “Our work is not done,” he said. “We are just getting started.”
He ended with a clear appeal for another term, promising to continue fighting for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy. “We will not be satisfied until the ultra-rich finally pay their fair share in taxes,” Johnson said, urging voters to return him to the fifth floor for four more years.
Following the rally, Johnson kept up his campaign schedule by canvassing neighborhoods and gathering signatures for his petitions.
Asked how the upcoming election could differ from his first campaign, Johnson acknowledged the difficulty of the path ahead. “The road for me has never been easy, but the road for the people that I am associated with has never been easy,” he said. “But nothing comes that’s worth waiting for without a significant demand.”
The municipal election is five months away, with Johnson and his challengers now making their case to voters.
