Brandon Johnson (Illinois)
2023 - Present
2027
2
Brandon Johnson is the Mayor of Chicago in Illinois. He assumed office on May 15, 2023. His current term ends on May 17, 2027.
Johnson received a bachelor's degree in human services and youth development and a master's degree in teaching from Aurora University.[1] He began his career working as a constituent service director for Illinois State Senator Don Harmon from 2003 to 2004, and worked as chief of staff for Illinois State Senator Deborah L. Graham (D) from 2005 to 2007.[2] Johnson worked as a social studies teacher in Chicago Public Schools from 2007 to 2018. In 2011, he became an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union.[2]
In 2018, Johnson ran for the District 1 seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. He defeated incumbent Richard Boykin (D) in the primary 50.4% to 49.6%, and won the general election unopposed. Johnson won re-election to the seat in 2022.
Johnson was elected Mayor of Chicago, Illinois, in 2023, defeating incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot in the general election and advancing to a runoff. Johnson finished second in the general election with 21.6% of the vote, behind Paul Vallas with 32.9%. In the runoff, Johnson defeated Vallas 52.2% to 47.8%. Johnson's campaign website said, "As a public school teacher, union organizer and Cook County commissioner, Brandon is the only candidate who has been a leader in our communities in the fights for fully funded public schools, affordable housing, green jobs and access to mental health care. [...] Brandon stands for the people, not entrenched special interests and political insiders. He will advance smart, innovative solutions that address the root causes of violence and poverty."[3]
The Chicago Tribune's Alice Yin and Gregory Royal Pratt wrote, "The runoff campaign promised to be contentious from the beginning as Vallas and Johnson represent[ed] starkly different wings of the Democratic Party. [...] Vallas tapped into a less tangible sense that Chicago’s cops have been left behind, and his candidacy was about returning the respect he said they deserve." Yin and Pratt described Johnson's campaign, saying, "The progressive umbrella under which Johnson’s followers fell were motivated by his campaign promise to rid Chicago of its 'politics of old' and 'tale of two cities,' slogans that he buttressed with sweeping proposals to ramp up community investments — as well as raise some taxes. Johnson, while stressing the concerns of crime, pitched his candidacy as not that of another politician’s quest for higher office but as a movement to bring 'the people' to the fifth floor of City Hall."[4]
In 2023, Johnson supported a city council-passed ordniance to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers.[5] In 2024, Johnson cast a tie-breaking vote to support a council-resolution to support a ceasefire in Gaza.[6] In 2025, Johnson signed an executive order preventing federal immigration officials from conducting federal operations in the city.[7]
Biography
Brandon Johnson was born in Elgin, Illinois, in 1976. He earned a bachelor's degree in human services, youth development programming, and management, and an M.A. in teaching from Aurora University in 2004 and 2007, respectively.[2] Johnson’s career experience includes working as a teacher with Chicago Public Schools, as an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union, and as chief of staff to state Rep. Deborah L. Graham.[8][2] Johnson served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners from 2018 to 2023.[2]
Elections
2023
General election
On February 28, 2023, Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas advanced to an April 4 runoff election for mayor of Chicago, Illinois, as neither received more than 50 percent of the vote. They were the top-two vote-getters among the field of nine candidates, with Vallas receiving 33.8 percent and Johnson receiving 20.3 percent. Click here for coverage of the April 4 runoff election.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, first elected in 2019, finished third with 17.1 percent of the vote. Between 2016 and 2022, there were 22 incumbents defeated in mayoral elections in the 100 largest U.S. cities. Of those 22 mayors, five were defeated in primary elections. U.S. Rep. Jesus Garcia (D) finished fourth with 13.7 percent of the vote.
Lightfoot, Garcia, Johnson, and Vallas led in polling and fundraising. The other candidates were Kambium Buckner, Ja'Mal Green, Sophia King, Roderick Sawyer, and Willie Wilson. To view a full list of candidate endorsements in this race, click here. To view the most recent polling in the race, click here.
Vallas was the 2014 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. In the 2019 election, Vallas finished ninth in the general election for mayor with 5.4% of the vote. He worked as chief administrative officer at Chicago State University and was the CEO of Chicago Public Schools. When he announced his campaign, Vallas said, "Chicago is ready for a leader to guide them with more than poll-tested rhetoric and empty promises; one with specific plans, and the know-how to execute those plans." His key issues were public safety, decreased public school enrollment, and the city budget as key issues.[9]
Johnson was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners as a Democrat in 2018. He was a teacher with Chicago Public Schools and an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). Johnson highlighted his experience, saying he was "the only candidate who has been a leader in our communities in the fights for fully funded public schools, affordable housing, green jobs and access to mental health care."[10]
Lightfoot was elected mayor in 2019. In the April 2, 2019, runoff, she defeated Toni Preckwinkle 74% to 26%. Lightfoot won 17.5% of the vote in a 14-candidate field in the 2019 general election. Lightfoot campaigned on her record, saying she "led the city through the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic with tough, fair leadership — all while keeping or overdelivering on campaign promises."[11] Lightfoot is affiliated with the Democratic Party.
At the time of the general election, Garcia was a Democratic member of the U.S. House representing Illinois' 4th Congressional District. Before serving in Congress, he was a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, the Illinois Senate, and the Chicago City Council. Garcia said his experience would help him as mayor. "Mark my words: my values and my commitment to build a better, more inclusive Chicago has never wavered. I’m the only candidate in the race with the experience of serving the city at every level of government," he said.[12]
Although elections are officially nonpartisan, candidates are typically affiliated with one of the major political parties. Among the candidates, there were eight affiliated with the Democratic Party and one independent. The last Republican mayor of Chicago, William Thompson, left office in 1931. To learn about the partisan affiliation of each candidate, click here.
Chicago adopted the system of nonpartisan general elections with a potential runoff beginning with the 1999 mayoral elections. In the six elections between 1999 and 2019, a runoff election occurred twice (2015 and 2019). A candidate won the other four general elections outright (1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011).
Runoff election
Brandon Johnson defeated Paul Vallas in the runoff election for mayor of Chicago, Illinois, on April 4, 2023. Johnson received 51.4% of the vote and Vallas received 48.6%. They advanced from a field of nine candidates in the February 28 general election. Click here to read more about the general election.
Politico's Shia Kapos and Olivia Olander said in February 2023 that the two runoff candidates "could hardly be more different . . . Vallas, who is white, ran to the right of Lightfoot and has focused primarily on public safety. He won the endorsement of Chicago’s conservative Fraternal Order of Police and faced accusations from his rivals of being a Republican despite declaring himself a Democrat. And although Johnson, a Black progressive with the backing of the Chicago Teachers Union, doesn’t use 'defund the police' rhetoric, he has argued for police resources to be redirected to the city’s social service agencies."[13]
Vallas received 33.7% of the vote in the general election. He was the 2014 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. He worked as chief administrative officer at Chicago State University and was the CEO of Chicago Public Schools. On the night of the general election, Vallas said, "Public safety is the fundamental right of every American. It is a civil right. And it is the principle responsibility of government, and we will have a safe Chicago."[14] The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Vallas.
Johnson received 20.3% of the vote in the general election. He was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners as a Democrat in 2018. He was a teacher with Chicago Public Schools and an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). In a speech the night of the general election, Johnson thanked the CTU for its support and said, "We get to turn the page of the politics of old . . . Every single child in the city gets to have their needs met."[15] The CTU endorsed Johnson.
Incumbent Lori Lightfoot finished third with 17.1% of the vote. She was elected mayor in 2019, defeating Toni Preckwinkle 74% to 26% in a runoff election after advancing from a 14-candidate general election field. Lightfoot was the first person elected Chicago mayor to lose a re-election bid since 1983 when Jane Byrne lost her primary.[16] Mayor Eugene Sawyer, who lost a 1989 primary to Richard Daley, was appointed mayor rather than elected.
Although elections are officially nonpartisan, candidates are typically affiliated with one of the major political parties. Johnson and Vallas are both Democrats. The last Republican mayor of Chicago, William Thompson, left office in 1931.
Chicago adopted the system of nonpartisan general elections with a potential runoff beginning with the 1999 mayoral elections. In the six elections between 1999 and 2019, a runoff election occurred twice (2015 and 2019). A candidate won the other four general elections outright (1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011).
See also: Mayoral election in Chicago, Illinois (2023)
General runoff election
General runoff election for Mayor of Chicago
Brandon Johnson defeated Paul Vallas in the general runoff election for Mayor of Chicago on April 4, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Brandon Johnson (Nonpartisan) | 52.2 | 319,481 |
 | Paul Vallas (Nonpartisan) | 47.8 | 293,033 | |
| Total votes: 612,514 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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General election
General election for Mayor of Chicago
The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Chicago on February 28, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Paul Vallas (Nonpartisan) | 32.9 | 185,743 |
| ✔ | | Brandon Johnson (Nonpartisan) | 21.6 | 122,093 |
 | Lori Lightfoot (Nonpartisan) | 16.8 | 94,890 | |
 | Jesus Garcia (Nonpartisan) | 13.7 | 77,222 | |
 | Willie Wilson (Nonpartisan) | 9.1 | 51,567 | |
 | Ja'Mal Green (Nonpartisan) | 2.2 | 12,257 | |
 | Kambium Buckner (Nonpartisan) | 2.0 | 11,092 | |
 | Sophia King (Nonpartisan) | 1.3 | 7,191 | |
 | Roderick Sawyer (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 2,440 | |
 | Johnny Logalbo (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 15 | |
| Keith Judge (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 5 | ||
| Stephen Hodge (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 4 | ||
| Ryan Friedman (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 3 | ||
 | Stephanie Ann Mustari (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 1 | |
| Bridgett Palmer (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Total votes: 564,524 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Montelle Gaji (Nonpartisan)
- Raymond Lopez (Nonpartisan)
- Frederick Collins (Nonpartisan)
2022
See also: Municipal elections in Cook County, Illinois (2022)
General election
General election for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1
Incumbent Brandon Johnson defeated James Humay in the general election for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brandon Johnson (D) | 92.9 | 71,077 |
 | James Humay (L) | 7.1 | 5,457 | |
| Total votes: 76,534 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1
Incumbent Brandon Johnson advanced from the Democratic primary for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brandon Johnson | 100.0 | 30,702 |
| Total votes: 30,702 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1
James Humay advanced from the Libertarian primary for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | James Humay | 100.0 | 108 |
| Total votes: 108 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2018
Brandon Johnson defeated incumbent Richard Boykin in the Democratic primary for District 1 of the Cook County Board of Commissioners on March 20, 2018. During his time in office, Boykin opposed a beverage tax and ran on his record of bringing money into the district.[17] Johnson ran on expanding healthcare in the district, and supported a countywide tax on big companies.[18] Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), Board President Toni Preckwinkle (D), and the Chicago Teachers Union PAC all supported Johnson.[17][19] Johnson won by 436 votes. Boykin did not concede until the following week.[20]
General election
General election for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1
Brandon Johnson won election in the general election for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brandon Johnson (D) | 100.0 | 88,590 |
| Total votes: 88,590 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1
Brandon Johnson defeated incumbent Richard Boykin in the Democratic primary for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brandon Johnson | 50.4 | 24,863 |
 | Richard Boykin | 49.6 | 24,426 | |
| Total votes: 49,289 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Brandon Johnson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Brandon Johnson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Noteworthy events
===Chicago Public Schools resignations (2024) On October 4, 2024, Chicago Board of Education members Elizabeth Todd-Breland, Mariela Estrada, Mary Fahey Hughes, Rudy Lozano, Michelle Morales, Jianan Shi, and Tanya Woods announced their resignations.[21] Their resignations come after a budget meeting in July 2024, where the board rejected Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposal to take out a loan to cover teacher pensions.[22]
On October 7, 2024, Johnson announced six interim appointments to the board: Olga Bautista, Michilla Blaise, Mary Gardner, Mitchell Ikenna Johnson, Deborah Pope, and Frank Niles Thomas.[23]
On October 31, 2024, newly appointed board president Mitchell Ikenna Johnson resigned following criticism of posts made on Ikenna Johnson's Facebook account in the previous year.[24]
See also
2023 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Mayor of Chicago |
Officeholder Mayor of Chicago |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Brandon Johnson: Organizer. Anti-establishment. Servant-leader. From middle school teacher to Chicago mayor." April 9, 2024
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Chicago Public Library, "Mayor Brandon Johnson Biography," accessed July 26, 2024 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "chilib" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Brandon Johnson's campaign website, "ON THE ISSUES," accessed July 29, 2024
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Brandon Johnson, Chicago’s mayor-elect, vows to represent all: ‘Today, the dream is alive’" April 6, 2023
- ↑ Block Club, Chicago, "Chicago Will End Subminimum Wage For Tipped Workers After Council Approves Plan," October 6, 2023
- ↑ ABC 7, "Jewish United Fund denounces Mayor Johnson's tiebreaking vote for council's cease-fire resolution," February 6, 2024
- ↑ City of Chicago, "Mayor Brandon Johnson Signs “ICE Free Zone” Executive Order, Prohibiting Use Of City Property For Federal Immigration Operations," October 6, 2025
- ↑ Brandon Johnson for Mayor of Chicago, "About," accessed December 7, 2022
- ↑ WTTW, "Former CPS CEO Paul Vallas Announces Run for Mayor, Says Chicago Faces a ‘Crisis of Leadership,'" June 1, 2022
- ↑ Brandon Johnson's 2023 campaign website, "On The Issues," accessed December 7, 2022
- ↑ Lori Lightfoot's 2023 campaign website, "About Lori Lightfoot," accessed December 7, 2022
- ↑ WBEZ, "Chuy García begins new bid for Chicago mayor by citing his work with Harold Washington," November 10, 2022
- ↑ Politico, "Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes," February 28, 2023
- ↑ WBEZ, "Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson head to Chicago mayoral runoff," February 28, 2023
- ↑ Chalkbeat Chicago, "Chicago 2023 mayoral election: Former schools chief, teachers union organizer headed to runoff," February 28, 2023
- ↑ NBC News, "Lori Lightfoot becomes the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re-election," February 28, 2023
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Forest Park Review, "Johnson upsets Boykin in 1st District race," March 27, 2018
- ↑ CBS News, "After Opposing Soda Tax, Boykin Faces Primary Fight," March 16, 2018
- ↑ Chicago-Sun Times, "Preckwinkle endorses Brandon Johnson in Cook County Board’s 1st District race," March 16, 2018
- ↑ Wednesday Journal, "Boykin concedes to Johnson in 1st Dist. race," March 26, 2018
- ↑ Axios "Seven Chicago Board of Education Members Resign" accessed October 7, 2024
- ↑ Axios "Chicago Public Schools Faces Budget Deficit Debate" accessed October 7, 2024
- ↑ ABC7 Chicago, "Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces New Interim Chicago Board of Education Appointments," accessed October 7, 2024
- ↑ WBEZ Chicago, “CPS Board of Education president resigns" accessed October 31, 2024
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lori Lightfoot |
Mayor of Chicago 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Richard Boykin (D) |
Cook County Board of Commissioners District 1 2018-2023 |
Succeeded by Tara Stamps (D) |
| |||||||||
