Latest news with #SusanaMendoza
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mendoza could skip all-important Cook County meeting amid rumors of mayoral bid
CHICAGO (WGN) — In the 2026/2027 game of chess, another piece has moved. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is signaling she might be eyeing a different office. Mendoza, first elected in 2016, may skip the all-important Cook County Democratic Party slating meeting later this week. 'That, to me, is kind of like a trigger point. I know her folks are saying, 'Well, it's kind of a pro forma thing and they could still slate her if she didn't show up,' But I think not showing up is an indication of how, as her people have pledged, she's only going to run for one office, she's not going to run for two offices,' said Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson. WGN INVESTIGATES: A spokesman for Mendoza said in a statement that the comptroller is 'weighing her options. This is what (she's) been saying for weeks and it has not changed. She will make her decision on her own timetable.' Mendoza, credited with retiring a multi-billion-dollar bill backlog for the state, has positioned herself as a fierce critic of progressive Mayor Brandon Johnson. Mendoza recently penned a Tribune op-ed ripping Johnson's handling of Chicago Public School finances, fueling speculation that Mendoza could run for mayor in 2027. 'She questions his competence (and) his financial acumen,' Pearson said. 'The comptroller position kind of gave her a platform, an elevated platform, as she puts the heat on him.' MORE FROM WGN'S TAHMAN BRADLEY: Mendoza ran before in 2019, when she placed fifth in the crowded contest with 9 percent of the vote. Much like the last two elections, the 2027 mayoral contest will likely be crowded with several high-profile names generating buzz, including Mendoza, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Congressman Mike Quigley, Alderman Bill Conway, City Clerk Anna Valencia, and former CPS CEO Janice Jackson. 'Because of what we've seen in polling about the mayor, people sense an opportunity here,' Pearson said. 'We won't let it stand': Chicago Teachers Union calls for state aid amid budget deficit Mayor Brandson Johnson has not officially launched a re-election effort. Nobody is running yet. But speculation will only keep building over the next year and a half. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza not running for reelection
CHICAGO — Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has announced she will not be running for reelection in 2026. Mendoza has been the state's comptroller since 2016, overseeing the state's finances while also holding various other positions, including city clerk. She has spent 24 years in public service. The announcement, held at Los Comales in Little Village, comes ahead of the Cook County Democratic Party slating meeting later this week. 'It's where I got my political start, in this exact spot that I first announced my campaign for state representative 26 years ago,' Mendoza said, becoming visibly emotional. Mendoza discussed some of her accomplishments in the position of comptroller on Wednesday, which she says include retiring a multi-billion-dollar bill backlog, paying off federal loans ahead of schedule, and rebuilding the state's rainy day fund. But she says she is not done when it comes to public service, refusing to rule out a second mayoral bid in Chicago. 'I'm leaving the door open,' she said. 'I'm definitely going to take some time to figure out what that next big, huge challenge is for me.' Mendoza could skip all-important Cook County meeting amid rumors of mayoral bid But, she also spoke on a loss in 2019 when she first ran for mayor. Mendoza finished fifth in the then-crowded contest, with 9 percent of the vote. 'You learn more in this line of work when you fail than when you win every time,' Mendoza said. 'It was humbling. It was wising, but it made me stronger and I'm actually very appreciative to have had that opportunity.' Mendoza has been a fierce critic of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the previous administration under former city Mayor Lori Lightfoot. 'We've had two very unsuccessful mayors in a row,' Mendoza said. 'Chicagoans deserve better.' No word on when Mendoza might declare what's next, but the comptroller's announcement comes ahead of a Cook County Democrats gathering later in the week to slate candidates for the 2026 primaries. If and when she does make her decision about what's next, Mendoza said, she'll be in it to win it. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Regarding a potential mayoral run in 2027, Mendoza could face several other high-profile candidates, including Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Alderman Bill Conway, and City Clerk Anna Valencia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza says she won't seek re-election
The Brief Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced she won't seek re-election in 2026 and called for stronger leadership in Chicago. She left open the possibility of another run for mayor, criticizing the last two administrations as "very unsuccessful." Mendoza, who has served as comptroller since 2016, said she plans to finish her term before deciding her next political move. CHICAGO - Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced she will not pursue re-election in 2026 and called for stronger leadership in Chicago. Mendoza, 53, made the announcement Wednesday at Los Comales restaurant in Little Village. Mendoza has served as state comptroller since 2016. "I know I leave the comptroller's office in our state in a much, much better spot and I'm definitely not done serving moving forward," Mendoza said. What they're saying Mendoza thanked her supporters and said she plans to finish her term before deciding the next step in her political career. "I'm going to figure out what the right move is for our family, for our city, and for our state. [I will] find out where I'm needed most, what's that next biggest challenge that I need to take on, because no challenge is too big as far as I'm concerned. When I decide what that is, then you better believe I'll be all in because I'll be the best person for the job," Mendoza said. Mendoza made a previous run for mayor in 2019 when she was eliminated in the first round of voting. She went on to endorse Lori Lightfoot, who was eventually elected mayor. Mendoza did not rule out another run for mayor. She cast shade on the tenures of Lightfoot and Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Chicago is in need of competency, of someone who understands the needs of the city, who understands how important the role of the city is in the good functioning of the whole state, and I think we've had two very unsuccessful mayors in a row. Chicagoans deserve better. They deserve a lot better," Mendoza said. Mendoza began her career in politics as a state representative from 2000 to 2011. She then served as the first woman elected as the City Clerk of Chicago until 2016, prior to taking office as state comptroller. The Source The information in this report came from a news conference by Susana Mendoza. Solve the daily Crossword
Axios
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Mendoza won't seek reelection, fueling 2027 Chicago mayoral buzz
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is not running for another term, instead possibly setting her sights on the mayor's office in Chicago. Why it matters: The announcement opens up a crucial statewide office that Democrats have held since 2016 and potentially kick-starts the 2027 mayoral race. Between the lines: Sizing up a mayoral run this early reveals how some Democrats believe the current mayor is vulnerable. Mayor Brandon Johnson has seen low approval ratings and represents a much more progressive wing of the party, aligned with the Chicago Teachers Union. Mendoza has been quick to criticize the mayor on social media, from his fiscal strategies to public safety. The move also suggests the mayoral race may attract big-name candidates earlier than ever. The past two mayoral elections had 23 candidates (14 in 2019 and 9 in 2023), which means name recognition is key. Reality check: Mendoza could have run for reelection and still run for mayor in 2027, but her timing aligns with the powerful Cook County Democratic Party's upcoming meetings this week to endorse candidates running in 2026. The late decision by Mendoza could mean a wild few days as new candidates emerge to jockey for the statewide comptroller's office. Flashback: Mendoza has run for mayor before. She campaigned in 2019 but failed to finish in the top two for the runoff, which Lori Lightfoot won. In that race, Mendoza was hampered by her connections to then-Ald. Ed Burke, to whom she had a close relationship. Burke was indicted for corruption in the midst of that campaign. State of play: Mendoza has an impressive track record overall, though, winning elections both state and citywide. She spent a decade in the statehouse representing parts of Chicago and was the first woman to be elected city clerk. Once elected Illinois comptroller in 2016, Mendoza was a fierce opponent of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. She used her office to publicize the governor's fiscal struggles, routinely pointing to unpaid state bills during his tenure.
CBS News
16-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Susana Mendoza not running for 4th term as Illinois comptroller
Susana Mendoza announced she will not run for a fourth term as Illinois comptroller. She made the announcement at a press conference in Little Village Wednesday morning, becoming emotional at times as she spoke. She has served three terms as the state's top fiscal officer. Speaking to reporters, Mendoza touted her accomplishments as comptroller, city clerk of Chicago and an Illinois state representative. She did not say what her plans for her next step are but did say she's not done with public service. Insiders expect her to make a run at becoming mayor of Chicago, challenging Brandon Johnson for office in the mayoral election in 2027.
