Candidates
About this Race: The mayor is the chief executive of Chicago and presides over the City Council. The mayor also has the power to appoint numerous positions, including the Chicago Police Department’s superintendent and the Chicago Fire Department’s commissioner, the CEO and board of the Chicago Public Schools, the heads of city departments, and the boards of bodies such as the CTA, the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Public Library.
An unusually large field of candidates is running to replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who made the surprise announcement in September 2018 that he would not run for a third term.
Runoff Election
- 2019 Runoff Election
Find out more about the mayor candidates in the runoff election.
Jerry Joyce
“We cannot solve our financial problems on the backs of our residential property owners.”
Paul Vallas
“I am still the only candidate with the skills and the demonstrated track record who can manage this city on day one.”
Willie Wilson
“We will give the city BACK to the PEOPLE!”
Toni Preckwinkle
“I want to make sure that all of our youth have a solid education and real opportunities.”
Bill Daley
“We must set higher expectations and demand safer streets in every neighborhood.”
Garry McCarthy
“We have to use data-driven policing strategies to enhance professional management, and put more police officers on the streets, not behind desks.”
Gery Chico
“Together, we can build a “Chicago Comeback” that becomes a model for the nation.”
Susana Mendoza
“It’s time we have a mayor who is from the neighborhoods, understands the neighborhoods, and puts our neighborhoods first.”
Amara Enyia
“The status quo uses neighborhood difference as tools to divide us; as though what Ravenswood needs is any different than what Englewood requires.”
La Shawn K. Ford
“I invite you to partner with me in a movement fueled by people to make Chicago one of the greatest cities to live in.”
Neal Sales Griffin
Did not participate in the WTTW Chicago Voters’ Guide.
Lori Lightfoot
“I’ve spent my career taking on tough challenges and I’ll keep fighting for change as mayor.”
Bob Fioretti
“It's time we started inviting people into Chicago, instead of taxing them out.”
John Kozlar
Did not participate in the WTTW Chicago Voters’ Guide.