Report: Mendoza Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026

WMAY’s Patrick Pfingsten reports in his The Illinoize newsletter this morning that State Comptroller Susana Mendoza is expected to announce this morning she won’t seek re-election to the post in 2026. She is expected to mount a campaign for Chicago mayor in 2027. Mendoza is a former state representative and Chicago City Clerk, who was elected Comptroller in 2016. She was elected to a full term in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, earning more votes than any other politician in the state that year. It isn’t clear if Mendoza will announce her campaign for mayor later today or if that announcement will come at a later date. A spokesperson for Mendoza declined comment Tuesday night. Mendoza said on WMAY last month she wouldn’t seek re-election as comptroller and run for mayor at the same time. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is also reportedly considering a run for Chicago Mayor in 2027, but hasn’t made any public statements about his 2026 plan