Key facts
- Chicago faces a projected budget gap of $882 million in 2027.
- The Chicago DSA chapter has grown to over 3,200 members.
- The DSA chapter is focusing on endorsing City Council candidates.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced his intention to seek a second term, banking on the support of progressive voters and the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Johnson's first term has been marked by mixed public support, including his administration's handling of federal immigration enforcement actions and ongoing conflicts with the City Council. The city is also facing a projected budget gap of $882 million in 2027.
Despite challenges and criticism from potential rivals like Giannoulias, who has sought to position himself as a unifier, Johnson remains defiant. He stated, “If we’re fighting over whether we should raise wages for working people or whether corporations should pay more, those are fights worth having.” He asserted that the city needs a fighter who prioritizes working people.
This message aligns with the priorities of Chicago's DSA chapter, which has seen its membership grow to over 3,200, with approximately 1,000 new members joining in the past year. The chapter's strategy, as described by Duffy, centers on a choice between "tax the rich or austerity." Currently, the DSA chapter has not endorsed any mayoral candidates, focusing instead on City Council races where they believe they can exert more immediate influence. They have already endorsed six council candidates and plan further endorsements this fall.
The DSA's objective is to elect aldermen who will champion policies such as enhanced tenant protections, public financing of elections, and increased taxes on wealthy individuals and large corporations to fund city services. Such an effort could bolster Johnson's ability to pass legislation if he secures a second term. With 50 aldermen on the council, a mayor requires 26 votes to advance legislation, a threshold Johnson has sometimes struggled to meet, particularly during contentious budget debates where his proposals were rejected in favor of aldermen's own versions.