Fourteen candidates filed nominating petitions for the February 23, 2027 mayoral election. Johnson filed Oct. 23 with about 33,000 signatures — too late for the first-day ballot-position lottery.
Fourteen candidates filed for the February 23, 2027 mayoral election, per the Tribune and WTTW. Reported signature counts among the field included Kelly at 36,000, Brewer at about 32,000, and Wilson at about 30,000.
Johnson filed Friday, Oct. 23, with about 33,000 signatures — too late for the first-day ballot-position lottery, which had already set the top of the ballot.
Jessica Maronto fell short of the 12,500-signature threshold and says she will run as a write-in. The Board of Elections’ final candidate list is pending; certification is December 17, and filed candidates can still be knocked off through objections and hearings.
Fourteen candidates against an incumbent polling at about 14% is the shape of this race: a wide field, a weak incumbent, and no clear consolidation yet. The petition fight that followed filing — and the objection that landed Nov. 2 — showed how quickly ballot mechanics can become the story.
Share this story.