The moment that many of us have been dreading has arrived. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced that he will seek re-election. ABC 7 Chicago reports:
CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he will run for reelection.
The mayor has been hinting at is announcement with plans for a “special announcement” on Sunday.
Johnson posted a two-minute video ending with people chanting “four more years” on X.
He later posted: “I’m here because I’m the only candidate who’s fighting for working families. If you’re ready for a safer and more affordable Chicago, then now is our time!”
Johnson is entering an already crowded race. At least 11 candidates have already announced their intentions to run.
To place that in perspective consider the approval ratings of previous incumbent Chicago mayors when they decided to run for re-election:
| Mayor | Approval rating |
| Richard M. Daley | 41% |
| Rahm Emanuel | 42% |
| Lori Lightfoot | 22% |
Some recent polls have shown Johnson’s approval rating in single digits. If the CTU decides to support his candidacy again of which I have little doubt, at least he’ll have that going for him.
At this point the CTU’s approval rating is 27.5%.
If he loses, maybe he can follow Lightfoot’s lead and get a job in academia. I hear Cambridge’s School of Education has an opening.