Susana Mendoza is touting her fiscal work and years in public office at the state and city level as reasons why she would make a good mayor of Chicago.
In the Little Village neighborhood where she was born, the democrat became the first major candidate to formally announce she’s entering the race.
Her campaign debut follows a year-long listening tour after Mendoza announced she wasn’t running for re-election as Illinois comptroller.
She stressed fiscal competence in paying down billions in unpaid bills and earning credit upgrades and focused on violent crime in the city.
Mendoza pledged to work with Chicago police, revise part of the SAFE-T Act and accused the current mayor of losing the trust of residents who now don't feel safe.
Coffee shop owner Tuan Huynh was among those who crowded into Los Comales restaurant, many dressed in dark blue T-shirts with her name on them or campaign buttons.
Nancy Harty
Mayor Brandon Johnson has not publicly said if he’s running again but when asked about Mendoza,he pointed to his work on economic development and agreements to build more affordable housing and an extension on the Red Line, plus a 60-year low in crime.
Mendoza came in fifth in the crowded 2019 mayoral primary that eventually saw Lori Lightfoot win.
