After the primary and general elections, the Chicago mayoral election is less than a year away.
Mayor Brandon Johnson is sending mixed signals about his future political plans, sitting down for a one-on-one interview to talk about it.
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Johnson is expected to face a number of challengers in next February’s election. But on Monday, he sidestepped a question about his re-election bid while attacking potential rivals.
Johnson gave a wide-ranging interview. He doesn’t seem to care about the 2027 election and who might run against him.
“I know there are people who are already political. You know, I understand that. I get it. But when people see me around the city of Chicago, they don’t ask about my re-election,” Johnson said.
The mayor continues to shy away from his political future.
Asked if he planned to run for a second term, Johnson said: “Well, right now, my plan is to continue to reduce violence in the city of Chicago to make sure that we invest in our communities. As I’ve said repeatedly, there will be plenty of time to get involved in politics.”
“I did both at the same time. As a Cook County Commissioner, I governed while running for mayor,” Johnson said. “So, obviously, I know how to multitask. I can govern and campaign for certain things. I’ve done it a lot. Not only have I done it a lot, but I’ve won every time.”
One potential mayoral rival, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, has reported raising nearly $12 million since the first of the year.
By comparison, Mayor Johnson reported raising only $58,000 during that period.
“Well, we saw in the last election cycle that people spent millions and millions of dollars,” Johnson said. “Obviously, money alone does not guarantee someone’s success.”
Speaking of successes, Johnson praised Chicago’s efforts to reduce violent crime under the direction of Garion Gatewood, his first deputy mayor for public safety. He was fired last Thursday.
Mayor Johnson spoke about the decision for the first time.
“It’s about making sure my vision is realized. I’m fulfilling that vision. That’s my responsibility, right?” Johnson said.
While the re-election discussion may have to wait another day, Johnson sent a not-so-subtle signal.
“We’ve seen a lot of high-profile donors in this city who were bosses of previous mayors. Right? What’s different for me now is I’m no longer bossed by people who are trying to dictate to voters. I’m not going to do that and I’m not going to support that,” Johnson said.
The mayor also confirmed that he interviewed two finalists who were recommended to him during the search for a new CEO for Chicago Public Schools. But he said he wanted to talk to the Board of Education again before making a recommendation to them.
