Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson has officially joined the race for mayor of Chicago.
Johnson, who’s lived in Austin for more than a decade, announced his candidacy at Cabrini-Green’s Seward Park on Thursday, near Jenner Academy Elementary School, where he began his teaching career.
He was joined by over 100 supporters, including colleagues from the Chicago Teachers Union; Alds. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa; and state Rep. Delia Ramirez.
Johnson said he’s humbled and honored by support he received as he came to the decision to join a crowded field to challenge incumbent Lori Lightfoot in the Feb. 28 election.
Johnson represents the 1st District of Cook County, which covers parts of Austin, Garfield Park, the Near West Side, Oak Park, Maywood, Forest Park, Broadview and Bellwood. Before being elected in 2018, he was a Chicago Public Schools teacher and worked for the CTU under Karen Lewis.
Johnson mentioned Austin in his speech as one of the “most dynamic neighborhoods” but also one of the most violent. He lives there with his wife, Stacie, and their three children who attend CPS.
“Just recently, we had to change one of the windows in our children’s bedroom from one of the bullets that came through our window. That’s the reality,” Johnson said.
During his announcement speech, Johnson cited public safety as the city’s biggest problem and promised to take preventive measures to keep violence down.
“We need to have treatment, not trauma. We need to fully invest in healthcare, in public housing, green jobs and fully put into our neighborhood schools,” he said. “That’s violence prevention.”
Austin’s history of disinvestment has influenced his fight for equity and justice, Johnson said, adding he will focus on the neighborhood in ways Lightfoot has failed to do so.
“We are stronger when we are collaborating, and because this mayor has ignored the experts – the expertise, as well as the experiences, of community members like my neighbors in Austin – it’s why we’re not headed in the right direction. It’s why people don’t feel secure.”
Johnson said he plans to “set up shop” in Austin during his campaign. He said he will host meetings and also engage with the community there.
“I’m going to react and respond and go where people of Austin ask and require me, so definitely, we’re going to get down in Austin.”
The people of Austin are what make the neighborhood so beautiful, especially the seniors, Johnson said. He mentioned Roberta Wilson and Lillian Drummond as his “shout-outs.” Another love of his – MacArthur’s Restaurant.
“I really love the dressing in the macaroni and cheese at MacArthur’s,” he said.
If elected, Johnson will be the first mayor in the history of Chicago living in Austin. “How cool is that going to be?” Johnson said.
Lightfoot’s campaign aimed to portray Johnson as a one-note candidate, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“There’s no shortage of ambitious politicians trying to advance their own career right now, and we’ll put up Mayor Lightfoot’s progressive achievements versus Brandon Johnson’s thin résumé any day of the week,” the Lightfoot camp said in a statement. “In the case of Johnson, his campaign stands on one platform and one only: to defund the police department entirely. It’s easy to talk about what you would do — it’s another thing to be in the arena, doing the work every day to keep our city moving forward.”
Johnson told the Tribune such comments are “typical from the mayor. She has a very narrow view of the world, doesn’t understand that my work predates the fact that I’ve just been a Cook County commissioner.”
He cited his time as a teacher and an organizer with CTU, where he worked on the successful campaign to bring an elected school board to Chicago, to boost funding to CPS and the 2012 strike. Lightfoot’s response “shows you how disconnected she is with working people … (and) the fact that she’s intimidated by the work. And it’s why her workday’s going to end in a few months.”
Johnson just recieved a $1 million contribution from the American Federation of Teachers on top of an earlier $125,000 donation from the group’s Illinois affiliate, the Sun-Times reported. CTU has also contributed to Johnson’s campaign.
Johnson is the eighth Black mayoral candidate to join the race, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He joins Lightfoot; retiring City Council members Sophia King (4th) and Roderick Sawyer (6th); state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago); millionaire businessman Willie Wilson; community activist Ja’Mal Green; and Chicago police officer Frederick Collins.
Former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) also are running.