Looking toward 2026 & 2027

 Next year we have another election. There is an open seat for Dick Durbin's US Senate spot in this state and what's is Gov. Pritzker going to do as far as a third term.

Rahm Emanuel has been making his rounds lately question is will he run for that open Senate seat next year, does he want to run for Governor next year, does he want to be back in Chicago's mayoral office in 2027, or does he want to run for President in 2028?

And this recent column from CapFax's Rich Miller discussing some possibilities for 2026 and the mayoral race in 2027.

Will Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias choose to run for re-election as Sec. of State next year and/or is he going for the mayor's office in 2027.

Susana Mendosa - our current state comptroller. She already ran for mayor in 2019 and lost and this column makes sure to note she was elected state comptroller in 2018, ran for may in 2019 and that didn't quite work out for her. And just think she was campaigning for office and then had to turn around and do it again so soon.

If Pritzker runs for Governor again he needs a new Lt. Gov and he fell in behind her. Juliana Stratton wants to succeed incumbet Dick Durbin in the US Senate. Who might Gov. Pritzker choose as his running if he runs again in 2026.

And of course with possible other retirements such as Congressman Danny Davis or Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky retired and closer still 2nd District Congresswoman Robin Kelly seeking Durbin's senate seat. For those running for office next year there are opportunities abound.

However, with  Mayor Brandon Johnson unpopularity right now the main question is who else may want to take City Hall's 5th floor in 2027? Anyone know any other names other than what's on Wikipedia?

 Forgot to note, that I just recently published a page for the 2011 elections.

2011 Election

This was the election where President Obama's former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was elected Mayor of Chicago. He had a tumultuous two terms as mayor and fun fact 2011 was the last time a candidate outright won the mayoral election without having to go to a run-off.

In 2015, Mayor Emanuel was in a runoff with then Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia. In 2019, Lori Lightfoot won the mayor's race against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. And then in 2023 then Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson defeats former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas.

Question is what would 2027 hold. We're at more than the halfway point for the next municipal elections here in Chicago.

Also, it causes me to want to tweak the 2015 and 2019 pages to include the mayoral race. I've included in all these election pages the Ward 9 Alderman election as that's the race that should be very important, not just the mayoral race.

Feel free to let me know if there's anything I should add to these pages.

Also for the record this is now Ward 9 looked up until 2015.

Chicago Tribune: Downtown alderman considering Cook County Board run against Preckwinkle

 Just remember 2026 is next year. We will be voting for a new US Senator (Dick Durbin who's represented Illinois in the US Senate since 1997 is retiring), for Governor for sure (Gov. Pritzker was in New Hampshire recently an important primary state and he may want to run for President), and now maybe a contest for Cook County Board President.

42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly is considering running against longtime County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Though in her case she's probably the one of a handful of Chicago-area politicians engaged with the reorganization of public transportation.

Tribune:

Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly said Wednesday he is exploring a challenge to Toni Preckwinkle in the 2026 Democratic primary for Cook County Board president.

Reilly, 42nd, told the Tribune he would make a final decision in the coming weeks, but claimed he’d been approached to take on Preckwinkle — who is so far unchallenged for her fifth term — in recent weeks. He made similar overtures for a congressional run against Democratic Rep. Danny Davis in 2015 and has also explored mayoral runs in past cycles but has stayed put in City Hall.

One of the City Council’s moderates, Reilly has represented downtown for nearly two decades. An ally to the business community, he has been one of the best fundraisers on the council and has run uncontested for the seat since defeating longtime Ald. Burt Natarus in 2007. He closed the last fundraising quarter with more than $700,000 in the bank.

Preckwinkle ended the same quarter with a little over half of that, $365,000, in her main campaign committee.

But Preckwinkle also chairs the Cook County Democratic Party, which gives her additional political power and fundraising heft.

You think it's time for a change at the county? Perhaps time for a younger person to step up to the plate? 

DO NOT SKIP school board races

 I found this on the FB page for Ward 15 Ald. Ray Lopez sharing this graphic of preferred candidates for the Chicago Board of Education. One of those names was highlighted yesterday Miquel Lewis, and this graphic is basically against the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

It may explain the anti-Lewis mailer I shared with you yesterday.

Anti-Miquel Lewis flyer - candidate for Chicago School Board Dist. 9

The below flyers are from the Chicago Teachers Union that are urging voters to reject Miquel Lewis who is running in the 9th District for the Board of Education along with Lanetta Thomas. 

As you will see Lewis is being tied with former President Donald Trump and this so-called Project 2025 agenda. Also note that the School Board races are non-partisan and there is nothing that shows Lewis' political affiliation.

 I'm sure there is a way to verify any campaign funds that Lewis is receiving for his bid for a seat on Chicago's school board. As we even saw with Paul Vallas who ran for Mayor of Chicago in 2023 to tie anyone to Trump or any Republican is something that voters in Chicago may well respond to.

Below are flyers from Lewis' campaign. We need a counterpoint here and hopefully you might decide for yourself what his inclinations are before you hit the ballot box.

You can visit his campaign website here: https://www.miquellewisforeducation.com/

Candidate for CPS School Board Dist. 9

 We're less than one month away from Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024. We'll be voting especially for President (I have to add that early voting had started on October 3, 2024). Also this year we'll be voting for members of the Chicago Board of Education.

This mailer arrived in my mailbox recently for a candidate for the Board of Education a woman, a veteran of the U.S. Army - Lanetta Thomas -  is seeking a seat on the new school board representing District 9.

You can check her out at the website friendsforlanetta.org or check her "socials" X/Twitter & Facebook @friendsforlanetta.

Anyone else seeking a Chicago school board seat?

Again Election Day is Nov 5, 2024 and early voting is going on in downtown Chicago starting on Oct. 3, 2024. Have you registered to vote, yet?

NBC Chicago: State's Attorney's race

[VIDEO]As you may know the incumbent State's Attorney Kim Foxx has opted not to run for a second term. And the two likely successors are in a close race to replace her former Cook County prosecutor Clayton Harris III & former Judge Eileen O'Neill Burke. Below are the results as I wrote this post.

This was in interesting discussion that was had in the above clip from NBC Chicago which included former IL GOP state house minority leader Jim Durkin who had considered throwing his hat into the race on the Republican side. However, he concluded that he would be running a more challenging race where he'd have to answer for the now Republican nominee for President Donald Trump. He would state for the record that he's not a Trump supporter and that he opposes him but he knows instead of saying what he could bring to the State's Attorney office he'd have to answer any possible connections that could be made with former President Trump.

Regardless though it's an obvious conclusion, Cook County is a solidly Democrat county and most likely any Republican would have a tough time here. Perhaps who might head the ticket in a Presidential Race might prove to be a huge issue in the long run.

Let's open up the discussion here. How did you vote in the State's Attorney race? Is crime an important issue? You think either Burke or Harris have different approaches to the crime issue in Chicago?

Michael Madigan gives up his ward committeeman position

 Not exactly huge news, but worth sharing I suppose.

The base of Michael Madigan's power as Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party is being the committeeman for the 13th Ward. There was a reason that he had been the longest serving speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives since about 1983 until he resigned in early 2021.

Well he resigned from his seat in the Illinois General Assembly, he dropped out of the running for his Speakership as his continued leadership was said to be toxic in Democrat races around the state. It came out that there was a sexual harassment scandal involving people on his staff.

And then of course there is this ComEd bribery business. People connected with his organization have faced trial and he will have his federal trial next year on April 1, 2024 - sorry to note this it's April Fool's Day '24.

However for a man who had been so powerful and I respect some aspects of his cunning and political acumen it's amazing how far he has fallen from power. He gave up his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, his speakership, the chairmanship of the state party, and now his Democratic ward committeeman spot.

Times have truly changed.

Now petitions are circulating for next year. We vote for among other offices for President. In next years party primary one of those offices up for election is ward committeperson.

WBEZ: Brandon Johnson will be Chicago’s next mayor #ChiMayor23

Brandon Johnson Mayor-elect

I hope he lives up to these words, a united city will be a great city.

Starting with little citywide name recognition, Johnson finished second in the first-round election in February to qualify for the runoff and rallied from behind in polls in the weeks before Tuesday’s vote.

“You know, they said this would never happen,” Johnson said in his victory speech before a raucous crowd. “If they didn’t know — now they know.”

Johnson said his win represented a victory for a “bold progressive movement” and would bring “the revival and resurrection of the city of Chicago.”

But he also immediately reached out to the many voters who did not pick him Tuesday: “I care about you. I value you. And I want to hear from you. I want to work with you. I will be the mayor for you too. This campaign has always been about building a better, stronger, safer Chicago for all the people of Chicago.”

Another piece of analysis:

Brandon Johnson Mayor-elect #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] Well as a casual observer Paul Vallas seemed to be very good on policy issues. Brandon Johnson was said to be a very good talker. 

Johnson had to answer for his comments with regards to "defund police" and Vallas had to answer for being a Republican.

Vallas was the top vote getter on February 28th and it seems polls favored him initially and then it seems Johnson seemed to gain some traction. Now he notes that the outgoing Mayor stated that he couldn't win and guess what he did tonight?

I didn't expect Vallas to concede, perhaps he'd wait for the mail in vote to be counted - it wouldn't have been counted tonight anyway. Of course that means that the numbers would have to justify Vallas holding out for all votes to be counted. And Vallas noting the division in the city, just decided to concede and move forward which is certainly necessary.

Well time to move forward a lot of serious issues that requires serious attention. Here's hoping we solve most of those issues in the next four years.

Chicago Decides: Brandon Johnson, Paul Vallas square off in CBS 2 debate #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] We have one week before the April 4, 2023 runoff and this is the last televised mayoral debate between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson which aired tonight on CBS 2 Chicago WBBM-TV.

You know allow me this opportunity to look at a recent mayoral poll via Rich Miller at CapFax.

NewsNation: Tale of two Democrats running for Mayor #ChiMayor23 #RushHour

 

[VIDEO] WGN Anchor Ben Bradley goes on NewsNation's Rush Hour program to talk about the mayoral election. He is already predicting 30% voter turnout among those voters who have a vested interest in the system, the teacher's union. Crime is a big issue, however, they talk a little about the education system.

Brandon Johnson is a former teacher and an organizer for the teacher's union vs. Paul Vallas who former ran CPS in the 1990s under Mayor Daley. Could the teacher's union make a difference in the April 4th runoff?

CapFax: Toddlin Town roundup - Is Vallas losing support of Black voters?

 At the start of this roundup looking at support among likely voters in the mayoral race we see where both Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are at with voters. I can see Commissioner Johnson's standing beginning to rise, especially with the Black vote. And then the whole issue of Vallas saying things with regards to Gov. Pritzker managing the pandemic and what he says on right-wing talk shows that are starting to become issues.

Before Feb 28, 2023 election people were taking shots at him for being a Republican. What say you all once you check out the round-up at Capitol Fax.

That toddlin’ town roundup: Poll has Vallas’ Black support plummeting https://t.co/jBUdU3IMpB

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) March 23, 2023

FOX 32 Mayoral Forum #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] Another mayoral debate airing on WFLD-TV 32 aka FOX 32 Chicago between Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and former CPS CEO Paul Vallas. About an hour debate which I hope you guys well let the public know who you think did the best in this debate. 

I'm sure there will be react about it!

Early voting has been going on since March 20th and through to April 3, 2023. Election Day for the mayoral runoff will be on April 4, 2023.

Last night's #ABC7Chicago #ChiMayor23 debate

 

[VIDEO] This debate aired last night and you can see it in full here. I hear it got spicy between candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson. I didn't get a chance to watch it, but let's watch it together and decide who won this one.

I want to share this link from Capitol Fax this morning. Looking at polling numbers from the mayoral election late last month. Who predicted the runoff and who would be in it? How did especially Vallas and Johnson fare last month? What about Chuy Garcia how did he falter in his mayoral bid?

Also we see how "defund police" is faring amongst voters and we see it largely doesn't. I wonder if there is any data on "defund police" among Black voters.

The runoff is on April 4, 2023 and early voting begins on March 20, 2023.

Ald. Beale endorses Paul Vallas #ChiMayor23 #Ward09

 I found it in a tweet today and then found this BlockClubChi article.

Chicago mayor candidate Paul Vallas @PaulVallas was endorsed by 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale. I count 24 current Chicago city council members endorsing for the Chicago mayor runoff election #chimayor23. Paul Vallas has 15 endorsements and Brandon Johnson has 9 endorsements. #twill pic.twitter.com/n7bv96F1X7

— Frank Calabrese (@FrankCalabrese) March 16, 2023

Let's get to BlockClubChi Ald. Beale's name is buried with other members of the City Council who also endorsed Vallas recently. It was in the news that State Rep. Kam Buckner endorsed the other candidate in the April 4 runoff, County Commissioner Brandon Johnson.

The Vallas campaign announced support from several South and West Side City Council members and former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones.

Alds. Michelle Harris (8th), Anthony Beale (9th), David Moore (17th), Derrick Curtis (18th) and Emma Mitts (37th) will endorse Vallas Thursday afternoon in Chatham, his campaign said in a news release.

The run-off is on April 4, 2023, however, early voting is scheduled to start on March 20, 2023. 

CapFax: That toddlin’ town roundup #ChiMayor23

 A number of campaign and certainly political updates from the mayoral runoff. Who endorsed who? What are their policy proposals? And of course who called who a Republican? Via Capitol Fax

That toddlin’ town roundup https://t.co/Lnw1eWIbhJ

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) March 13, 2023

NBC Chicago: Mayoral debate between Paul Vallas & Brandon Johnson #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] As I promised this debate is available to be seen on this blog for those of you who are looking for it and haven't yet watched this. Via CapFax is a react to last night's debate that aired on both NBC 5 & Telemundo and hosted by NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern.

The mayoral runoff is on April 4, 2023.

Lightfoot concedes #ChiMayor23 #Ward09

 For those of you paying attention to the results of yesterday's election race, well this is not breaking news. For those of you who weren't well after the April 4, 2023 runoff we will have a new mayor. The mayoral race has been whittled down to former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and current Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. Incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot was relegated to third place in last night's results.

If you don't believe she conceded video here. Perhaps I expected her to be more combative than she seemed to have been last night. [VIDEO]

I plan to update the 2023 page with current numbers and especially for the mayoral race who will be moving onto the runoff. Final numbers - per the experts - won't be known for at least a couple of weeks as electoral authorities continue to count ballots especially the early votes and mail-in votes.

From the results I've seen last night in Ward 9, it appears Anthony Beale has secured yet another term on the Chicago City Council.

Via ABC 7 Chicago 2023 election results

Tomorrow is Election Day #ChicagoElections #ChiMayor23

 If you have't early voted, tomorrow is the day to cast a vote for Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, City Council, and those little known & new police district board council.

If you're looking for some last minute stories check out this round by via Capitol Fax.

That toddlin’ town Monday morning roundup https://t.co/EFpBL82gXt

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) February 27, 2023

And how about a video from FOX 32 regarding Tuesday's election. They speak with Max Bever of the Chicago Board of Elections [VIDEO]