Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias launches Chicago mayoral bid

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias entered the race for Chicago mayor on Sunday, launching his campaign with a two-minute video and a rally in Bronzeville that immediately positioned him as a leading contender in a crowded field.

Surrounded by union members at the IBEW Hall, Giannoulias took the stage and formally declared his candidacy.

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"I am thrilled, honored, and deeply humbled to announce that I am running to be the next mayor of the city," he told supporters as they cheered.

In his announcement video, titled Demand Better, Giannoulias said Chicagoans want a mayor who listens and unites people.

"I am maniacally bullish about Chicago's future, but we need to demand better from City Hall," he said.

Giannoulias' campaign messaging echoed themes often associated with Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has not yet announced whether he will seek reelection. Johnson's team declined to comment on Giannoulias' launch.

Speaking with reporters, Giannoulias said he offers voters "a track record of getting things done," adding, "People want competence. People want to know that someone is there that will get things done, that will cut bureaucracy, that will reduce waste, that will make government easier."

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He pointed to upgrades made during his tenure as secretary of state, including improvements to drivers license facilities. Giannoulias also defended running for reelection in November while simultaneously seeking the mayor's office.

"Running for mayor is like interviewing for a job, a really hard job," he said. "Just like anything else, when you're running for a job, you don't quit the one you're in while you're interviewing for that one."

Giannoulias becomes the 10th declared candidate in the February mayoral election. Five city council members attended his rally, including 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts, who said she wants a mayor who can unify the council.

"We need someone that look at the issues, bring all 50 aldermen together in the city council, and we moving the city in the right direction," she said.

Giannoulias enters the race with a $22 million campaign fund, bolstered by four unions that each contributed $1 million earlier this year, along with support from business leaders.

"I remain very proud of the coalition and the support we built," Giannoulias said. "Donations from plumbers and pipefitters and carpenters and educators and nurses - that's something that I'm very proud of. And again, the only way to turn this city around is to have a coalition of people working together."

In closing his rally, Giannoulias told supporters that government can be both competent and compassionate, saying voters want leaders who "get things done" rather than make excuses.

Johnson is widely expected to run for reelection, though the timing of his formal announcement remains unclear.