Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces she's not running for reelection, keeps door open for Chicago mayoral run
'I am announcing today that I will not be running for another term as your comptroller,' she said during a news conference at a restaurant in Little Village. 'It's been my truest honor and privilege to serve you in what has been the hardest and most fulfilling job I've had yet.'
During her sometimes-emotional speech, Mendoza also clearly left open the door for another political run, saying she's 'definitely not done serving.'
'Moving forward, I'm going to figure out what the right move is for our family, for our city and for our state,' she said. (And) find out where I'm needed most. Stay tuned.'
Mendoza's announcement comes one day after the Tribune noted speculation was growing that she wouldn't run for a fourth term. It also came just before Cook County Democrats gather later this week to approve their slate of candidates, including for statewide offices such as comptroller.
By not appearing before slatemakers, Mendoza avoids putting county Democrats in the position of asking them to endorse her for a reelection bid that she may not make. Mendoza during her speech said she was making her announcement to give others time to pitch themselves for the job to Democrats and voters statewide.
With Mendoza not running for reelection, it not only sparks speculation about her running in the Chicago mayoral race but also creates a statewide office opening in the already competitive 2026 election.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's announcement earlier this year that he would retire at the end of his term launched a scramble among candidates looking to move up. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg are running to succeed Durbin, meaning their congressional seats open next year. Additionally, the 9th Congressional District seat is also open, as U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who has been in Congress since 1999, has announced her retirement at the end of her term.
Mendoza, a former state representative and Chicago city clerk, ran for mayor in 2019. But she finished fifth in the first round of voting with 9% and missed the runoff election, which featured Lori Lightfoot against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Lightfoot ultimately won that election but lost reelection in 2023 in a race that saw Johnson ascend to the top spot at City Hall.
Mendoza won the comptroller's office in a 2016 special election to fill the unexpired term of the late Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. Mendoza used the position to sharply criticize one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's fiscal policies, including a dispute Rauner had with then-House Speaker Michael Madigan that led to the state going two years without adopting a budget.
As comptroller and in working with Pritzker's administration, Mendoza promptly cleared up a multibillion-dollar backlog of bills left by Rauner's administration. She also has pushed to increase the state's 'rainy day' fund.
In recent months, she has used the comptroller's office as a platform to criticize Johnson's actions, including using an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune to accuse the mayor of pursuing a 'reckless fiscal course' for the Chicago Public Schools. In February text messages with Pritzker, Mendoza raised a rumor that United Airlines was looking to move its headquarters out of Chicago and warned of an 'absence of any semblance of competency coming out of the 5th floor,' a reference to the location of Johnson's office in City Hall.
Mendoza may not be the only statewide elected official looking at a Chicago mayoral run. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is also believed to be considering a bid for mayor. Giannoulias is scheduled to appear on Friday before Cook County Democrats as he runs for a second term.
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