Politics
Cardiologist, VA Whistleblower Lisa Nee Announces Run for Chicago Mayor
Dr. Lisa Nee (Campaign photo)
Cardiologist and whistleblower Dr. Lisa Nee launched a bid for Chicago mayor Tuesday, becoming the latest in a growing field of candidates vying to lead the city.
“I’m running because I believe we deserve a city where public service actually serves the public —where affordability is a reality, not a talking point, where you don’t need connections to get basic things done, and where honesty isn’t treated like a liability,” Nee said in a statement.
Nee began her career as a nurse, and later became an interventional cardiologist, treating complex and high-risk heart conditions, according to a biography. While working at Hines VA Hospital, Nee spoke out about failures in patient care that put veterans at risk.
After leaving clinical practice, Nee earned an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and currently works as a healthcare and public policy advisor.
Nee grew up in Humboldt Park, graduated from Loyola University Chicago where she ran Division I track, and now lives on the North Side with her husband, children and two dogs, according to her biography.
Her campaign priorities include: making Chicago affordable for working families, trusted leadership for a safer city and fiscal responsibility that protects the next generation from inherited debt, according to a news release.
“I’m not running because it’s the next step in my career,” Nee said in a statement. “I’m running because I’ve spent my life seeing what happens when systems fail people — and I’m done accepting it.”
Other confirmed mayoral candidates include State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas, Chicago Housing Authority board member Matt Brewer, and businessmen Joe Holberg and Liam Stanton.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has not formally said yet whether he will seek a second term in office.
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias are also expected to enter the race.
Chicago’s mayoral election will be held Feb. 23, 2027.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
