Arguing that Chicago needs “competent leadership” — not a mayor who “coddles criminals” and is beholden to the Chicago Teachers Union —Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza on Wednesday officially joined the crowded race for mayor of Chicago.

Mendoza finished fifth in a 2019 mayoral race won by Lori Lightfoot that was dominated by the corruption scandal that culminated in the conviction of former Ald. Edward Burke (14th).

She won just seven of the 50 wards in 2019, nearly all of them majority Hispanic, and captured just over 9% of the vote. She was damaged heavily by her longstanding alliance with Burke and now-convicted Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).

But Mendoza told the Sun-Times she is a far more seasoned candidate than the one who finished behind Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley and perennial candidate Willie Wilson.

Mendoza argued that her “trifecta of experience” as a state legislator, city clerk and state comptroller proves she is the “turnaround expert” Chicago needs to solve its financial and public safety troubles, along with its “crisis of confidence” under incumbent Brandon Johnson.

“We need a mayor who will not coddle criminals, but will hold them accountable and flip the moral compass on this city to put victims ahead of offenders. That’s a key point of failure for this administration,” said Mendoza, 54.

“The most obvious one that everybody feels… is the financial crisis that we’re in. And there is no one better situated to fix the city’s finances than somebody who fixed the state’s [finances] when many people thought it was an impossible task to do. That is my sweet spot.”

Mendoza’s $1.6 million campaign war chest pales by comparison to the $18.3 million already amassed by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, a potential candidate for mayor.

But Mendoza, who opted not to run again for comptroller this year, said she is not intimidated by Giannoulias’ prolific fundraising or big contributions he has received from building trade unions. She added she will not be muscled out of the race by a candidate who appears to be playing it safe by remaining on the sidelines.

“Isn’t he running for secretary of state? He hasn’t declared [for mayor]. I’m running for mayor of Chicago and I don’t care who gets in this race,” she said.

“No one can touch me on my financial experience. No one can touch me on my know-how in getting things done in Springfield… I don’t have to ask anyone for permission to put my thoughts out there. I’m going to run this city better than any other executive manager has in the past. And you can take that to the bank. Just not Broadway Bank,” the now-shuttered bank once owned by the Giannoulias family, and that once employed him.

Johnson has not yet declared his intention to seek a second term. His approval rating is languishing in the low 30s, and he has just $813,125 in campaign cash on hand.

His ability to raise money is likely to be hampered by the recent decision by the rank-and-file of the Chicago Teachers Union to reject the $8.5 million dues increase championed by CTU President Stacy Davis Gates.

But the embattled mayor still has the far left lane to himself, and is the only prominent African American candidate considering a run.

Mendoza and Giannoulias are vying for voters in the same moderate lane. That explains why Mendoza appeared to be taking as many shots at Giannoulias as she did at Johnson.

“I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I was born more [with] like a plastic spork and people relate to that. They know who’s legit. They know who can relate to them, who’s authentic,” she said. “There’s a big difference between that and somebody holding the doorman’s hand as he’s hitting the button to get him up their skyscraper.”

Giannoulias could not be reached for comment.

Johnson tried once again to remain above the political fray.

“No mayor in the modern history can say that they oversaw the city of Chicago at the height of economic development and activity, where more people are visiting our city than any other time in the history of Chicago. And we just experienced a 60-year low in homicides,” the mayor said.
“That’s the work that I’m doing and I’m going to continue to concentrate on that.”

Veteran political operative Victor Reyes said Mendoza’s fiery entry into the race could turn up the heat on Giannoulias to get off the sidelines and into the race.

“They’re going to have to protect that flank. It can’t be just all anti-Johnson. Eventually, they’re going to have to beat Susana’s numbers down,” Reyes said. “Every day that they delay is an advantage for Johnson.”