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* Press release…
Susana Mendoza launched her campaign for Mayor of Chicago this morning, committing to a vision that invests in the future of Chicago and its neighborhoods.
A fiscal watchdog and fierce proponent of government transparency, Mendoza has spent the past two years leading the resistance against Governor Bruce Rauner while expanding government transparency and cutting the state’s bill backlog in half as the twice-elected Illinois Comptroller. Her campaign released a video Wednesday morning announcing her candidacy.
“Chicago is so many things: gritty, hardworking, welcoming,” Mendoza says in the video. “It’s a city of neighborhoods, of all kinds of people. And it must become the city of the future.”
In addition to her work as Comptroller, Mendoza has a long record of public service as a state representative in the Illinois Legislature, where she wrote and passed legislation that saved the jobs of 3,000 teachers who would have lost them due to antiquated immigration rules and created the Illinois School Breakfast Program. As Chicago City Clerk, Mendoza modernized the city’s 105 year-old sticker program so people would not have to wait in line for hours and fought Mayor Emanuel’s efforts to dramatically raise city sticker prices.
Mendoza, 46, was born in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood but at age 7 her family was forced to move after someone was murdered on their block.
“My parents were like so many parents traumatized by gun violence every day in this city,” Mendoza said. “They felt like they had to leave. No family should have to leave their city because their neighborhood isn’t safe.”
After graduating from college, Mendoza moved back to Little Village because she wanted to make a difference there for other families. She was elected to six terms, representing the Southwest side district in the Illinois House of Representatives.
“What happens in any neighborhood, what happens anywhere, affects all of us everywhere,” Mendoza said. “Every parent in Chicago should be able to expect that when they send their child to a neighborhood school, they will get a good education and, most importantly, they’ll come home safely.”
Mendoza certainly understands the importance of safe neighborhoods and a quality education. She and her husband, David, currently live in Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood with their 5-year-old son who attends a neighborhood Chicago Public School. And they know what it’s like to get a big property tax hike in the mail.
“The job of mayor isn’t for a caretaker or someone who protects the status quo,” Mendoza said.
“Every Chicagoan deserves a mayor who every waking moment, every day asks herself one fundamental question: Did I do enough?”
“This election is about the next generation, not just the next four years.”
* Rate it…
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:23 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Resign your office
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:24 am
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:24 am:
Hey Darlene!
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:27 am
She’ll get my vote.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:33 am
Ad is well done. But why should I believe you when you obviously misled the public about the position for which you were just elected. This is the problem of professional politicians. They are always about the next position. This time it’s just more blatant because of the timing. So when Durbin retires will that be her next move?
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:36 am
You asked for my vote for City Clerk, and I gave it to you. Then you abandoned me to be Comptroller.
Then you asked for my vote for Comptroller. Now you’re abandoning me to run for Mayor?
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Pick a job already and do that job before moving on to the next. Now I’ll question every decision you make as Comptroller wondering if you’re doing it simply to ingratiate yourself with a Chicago voting group or donor.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:37 am
It’s very good. I’m guessing they just didn’t whip it together in a week, lol.
Both she and Preckwinkle are playing with house money; nothing to lose.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:37 am
Got my vote
Comment by ChicagoVinny Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:38 am
Outstanding roll out. I think she’s the one to beat.
Comment by Because I Said So.... Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:41 am
For me, only Mendoza and Preckwinkle have my attention,
This ad only reinforces that thought for me.
The goal for both is to get to a runoff. It’s an opening salvo like this that allows that path to be found.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:43 am
What happens if she runs but does not win? Will she still have the comptroller job?
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:54 am
Susanna=Rahm’s third term
Comment by Stagman Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:55 am
Thanks for being so upfront Susanna.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:57 am
Susana will be the next Mayor of Chicago. Keep it simple.
Comment by DeseDemDose Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:58 am
Folks need to let go of their “how dare she!” attitude about her running for mayor after winning comptroller. Y’all know Toni just won reelection to Cook County Board President, right? An opportunity presented itself, and she is going after it. That’s what people do in both public and private life. Many politicians have done it before and many will do it in the future.
If you don’t think Susanna will be a good mayor, that’s perfectly legit, but dinging her throwing her hat in the ring isn’t.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:01 am
Good Ad, I would give it a B+.
She still doesn’t have my vote nor do I find her to be more likable. And just like everyone who complained about Rauner running against “Madigan” and not Pritzker. She will need to understand that she is running against, Daley, Preckwinkle, Chico, etc. and NOT Rauner.
Comment by JakeCP Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:05 am
Boilerplate commercial. Old person, check. Veteran, check. Blue collar worker, check. Same old playbook.
Solid C.
Comment by Southfarmllama Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:06 am
I think she’s the one to beat, even though she stiffed voters like me by continuing to run for Comptroller when it was pretty obvious she’d run for Mayor.
Of course, three months is an eternity in Chicago/IL polities. But she’s savvy and an experienced campaigner - probably won’t make any major missteps.
Comment by dbk Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:07 am
The fact that she was just re-elected Comptroller means nothing to me. Has no one here left a job for a better one? One where she can be even more effective? She has my vote!
Comment by Terry Salad Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:11 am
===== - Just Me - Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:37 am:
You asked for my vote for City Clerk, and I gave it to you. Then you abandoned me to be Comptroller.
Then you asked for my vote for Comptroller. Now you’re abandoning me to run for Mayor?
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Pick a job already and do that job before moving on to the next. Now I’ll question every decision you make as Comptroller wondering if you’re doing it simply to ingratiate yourself with a Chicago voting group or donor.====
Do you quit your current job when you are applying for a new one? No? Then please stop this phony pearl clutching.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:19 am
Susanna Mendoza runs an ad complaining about high taxes?
What policies does she propose to lower them?
This is what Democracy looks like to Cook County Democrats-
running for an office with a four year term and then declaring their candidacy immediately for another office so voters can’t weigh in on their replacement for Cook County Board President or State Comptroller
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:19 am
Just Me 9:37. Did she promise to stay in those offices for the rest of her life? I must have missed that. Are you still in your first job? Do you feel the same way about Preckwinkle? As Montrose able notes, voting against her because she’s running is kind of silly.
Comment by Original Rambler Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:22 am
A - About the most down-to-Earth rollout ad I’ve seen. Puzzling why Mendoza gets all the grief for waiting until after the election to make sure Rauner didn’t pull off an upset and Toni Preckwinkle, who openly declared she was running for Mayor at the same time she was running for County Board President gets no media criticism whatsoever. I’m glad Obama stayed in the race for U.S. Senate even though he was being talked about for president. And Rich Daley stayed in the race for State’s Attorney as his brother put together his first run for mayor. And Harold Washington ran for re-election to Congress ad he put together his campaign for mayor, etc. etc. etc. Here’s the bottom line: She’d be the best mayor of all the folks running.
Comment by Persuadable Voter Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:24 am
I agree with Just Me at 9:37. I don’t live in Chicago and I was skeptical of Mendoza’s commitment to being Comptroller. Mendoza apparently takes a statewide office election frivouslu. Disappointment is too weak a word for how I feel about her mayoral candidacy. Say what you will about politicians like Mike Madigan, but one at least know he takes his position seriously.
Comment by My New Handle Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:28 am
Yeah, I apply for a new job while I have my current t one, but not a mere few days after I just started.
But more importantly: I do not equate having a job with having elected office.
Unfortunately I’m not surprised that people on this blog don’t understand the difference.
Comment by Not It Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:38 am
” Say what you will about politicians like Mike Madigan, but one at least know he takes his position seriously.”
It is true that kings are rarely on the lookout for the next best gig.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:38 am
She stayed in the race for Comptroller just in case Rauner won and then she would have stayed there to be a thorn in his side rather than run for Mayor.
Comment by OurMagician Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:40 am
The voters who elected her Comptroller knew she might run for Mayor if JB won, and they still voted for her anyway. Seems like the electorate spoke to me.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:43 am
==but not a mere few days after I just started.==
Mendoza started her current job in December 2016.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:45 am
“This is what Democracy looks like to Cook County Democrats-
running for an office with a four year term and then declaring their candidacy immediately for another office so voters can’t weigh in on their replacement for Cook County Board President or State Comptroller.”
Because Republicans would never engage in such a strategy were they in the position to do so. Heavens to Betsy, no!
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:45 am
Honesty and authenticity are characteristics Chicago voters will reward. Mendoza’s lack of both leading up to this announcement have dug a deep hole for her. Her cheerleaders are out in force today, but will the voters buy someone who runs for multiple office at the same time? We’ll see.
Comment by West Wing Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:46 am
“Honesty and authenticity are characteristics Chicago voters will reward. Mendoza’s lack of both leading up to this announcement have dug a deep hole for her.”
Have they? It’s a sincere question. Is there polling that shows her quick turn around has hurt her support?
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:51 am
The bigger question will be, how does she carry out her Comptroller duties while campaigning throughout the city. Oh, and what account did she use to cut the ad that fell on the editing room floor? She hadn’t filed as a mayoral candidate at that point.
Comment by She's a truth-teller Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 10:54 am
I think right now she leads the likeability in the field by a lot. The trick will be to maintain it. Preckwinkle showed her cards with the soda tax and that will be a millstone for the length of her campaign. people are going to be afraid of what’s behind the curtain. Plus she is very soft on crime imho.
Comment by jimk849 Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:00 am
I’m not at all sure why anyone is too upset about the worst kept secret this cycle. I cut her a tiny bit of slack because Rahm’s announcement was a bit sudden. That made the decision a little more complicated.
I do wish people wouldn’t campaign while they’re already in an important office, and comptroller is important in this state. Obviously, her staff will run things, but it’s still a bit off-putting.
I’ll also cut her a little slack…because I like her. She might be exactly what the city needs.
The video is excellent. From concept to storyboard to execution, it’s very well done.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:06 am
I think B+ overall. I would knock it down from an A because the timing is not good coming out a week after she won election. But she is very charismatic, and the video showed that.
A couple of things I noticed. She seems to be a little self conscious that she grew up in Bollingbrook, and seems to be trying to preempt anyone from saying she is not a real Chicagoan because of that. I think it is a stupid criticism anyway, but it is noteworthy to me that she seems kind of concerned about it.
As a policy matter, does she really think property taxes are too high? Will she lower them, and how would she balance the budget if she did? I understand politically why she would use those lines in an advertisement, but it really seem to be more political pandering than a serious suggestion to deal with the City’s finances.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:08 am
C-. Good content. Too long. Fine for a roll out/introduction, I suppose.
On oddsmaking, winning statewide office requires more organization, carries more momentum into Chicago race than Preckwinkle winning in County. Slight edge to Mendoza.
Nobody wants another Daley. Sorry, Billy. Your brother stole your birthright and spoiled it for you.
Comment by Goner Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:14 am
“Nobody wants another Daley.”
I’m sure there are thousands of city contractors, streets and san/water dept employees, and residents of Bridgeport that would beg to disagree.
Comment by Bobby Beagle Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:22 am
A it’s inspiring.
As for whether she’s an extension of Rahm, it’s unclear. there are Rahm cabinet members who are talking in hushed tones that they want Toni to win. What’s clear is that Susana has a much more sparkling personality!
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:34 am
She has sat on IT vendors invoices since she walked in the door
Comment by sharkette Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:35 am
===Yeah, I apply for a new job while I have my current one, but not a mere few days after I just started. But more importantly: I do not equate having a job with having elected office. Unfortunately I’m not surprised that people on this blog don’t understand the difference.===
The candidate does not dictate the election cycle. By your standard, no politician elected in November could ever run for mayor the following Spring. (That would include Toni Preckwinkle and LaShawn Ford.)
It’s an elected office AND it’s a job. She’s not wealthy, so she cannot afford to drop one job while waiting for another. That’s an economic reality most people understand.
I was a strong supporter of Mendoza for Comptroller, but I was fully aware she might go for Mayor. I think she will be great in either role, and I do not fault her for taking a shot at a higher office. (My main concern is that, if she becomes mayor, the rest of us are unlikely to benefit from having a Governor or Senator Mendoza.)
TO THE AD (finally): Great ad. Low key, earnest, folks already know her. Hits the key points of why she deserves consideration. Solid A
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:35 am
So now she can rack up millions of late payment fess for the city’s vendors too
Comment by broke vendor Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:36 am
===and what account did she use to cut the ad===
What a silly thing to say. You can only control one candidate account at a time in Illinois.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:37 am
pays new invoices 1st,, not old ones from 2016
Comment by sharkette Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:38 am
Nope. And I like her a lot. Rahm’s timing stinks for her, but I don’t like announcing this run right after winning a different office.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:43 am
== but I don’t like announcing this run right after winning a different office.==
Hey. Petitions are due when they’re due. She got a late start. At least the loud part of getting signatures.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:46 am
==Nobody wants another Daley.==
Yet Daley has more money in his PAC fund than Mendoza. He’s received $1.7 million since the last filing. So somebody must want him.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:46 am
==pays new invoices 1st,, not old ones from 2016==
She legally can’t pay old invoices from 2016. Once the lapse period is over (this year was extended to mid-October for FY18 invoices) a vendor’s only recourse is the Court of Claims.
Comment by Anonimity Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 11:58 am
The reality is a vote for Suzanne Mendoza is a vote for someone who will be very responsive to both the Rahm clique and Madigan.
What voters will need to ask themselves is what a Mendoza-run Chicago will look like and whether that works for them relative to what a Chicago run by Toni, Bill Daley or other alternative looks like.
It probably won’t happen like that, but it is a good way to make a choice.
BTW, nobody is going to cast a vote one way or the other based on whether somebody got elected to something on Tuesday and then started for something else on Thursday.
Comment by Midwestern Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 12:01 pm
==Honesty and authenticity are characteristics Chicago voters will reward.==
I don’t know if that’s true about the town that elected Rahm twice.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 12:04 pm
Chris Lauzen is planning ahead. https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CDPdfViewer.aspx?FiledDocID=tk7a2pU0WVcbUWjGCkXhGg%3d%3d&DocType=%2fwY5Q6gLz9EZSXGO4xdasQ%3d%3d
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 12:04 pm
It’s Illinois. It’s not like this is the first time I’ve thrown away a vote and I’m sure it won’t be the last. As I recall Karen Hasara did the same thing after a Senate race to run for Springfield Mayor.
Comment by Past the Rule of 85 Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 12:05 pm
I don’t get why she wants that job. She has a good state wide position that can be used to move to bigger and better. Being Chicago mayor presents lots of no win situations and no place to go after.
Comment by Union thug Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 12:28 pm
===I don’t get why she wants that job. She has a good state wide position that can be used to move to bigger and better===
Do you not see the blatant contradiction in your logic? Chicago mayor is one of the greatest political jobs in the country. Did you think the same when Harold Washington left a safe seat in Congress to run for mayor?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 12:41 pm
Rahm said only POTUS, Governor of NY, Mayor of NY, and Governor of California were better jobs.
Rahm didn’t mention state comptroller or Illinois Governor.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 12:47 pm
God spare us from overly ambitious politicians only interested in ladder-climbing.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:00 pm
===overly ambitious politicians===
Who died and made you God? The voters get to decide this, and you don’t live in Chicago.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:03 pm
Chicago does not need another establishment candidate. We don’t need Mendoza or Precwinkle. I’m really liking Amara Enyia for Mayor.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:19 pm
Solid video and does a nice job of articulating her mayoral message of future and neighborhoods.
Let the haters be haters. She’s proven them wrong every time.
Comment by Shytown Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:30 pm
Should she win and vacate the Comptroller seat, which would then be filled by an appointee, does that mean we get a special election in 2020, like we did in 2016 to replace the appointed Munger mid-term?
Comment by CookR Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 2:07 pm
Pot calling Kettle — yes, if I had my way politicians who beg me — LITERALLY BEG ME — for my vote for a term of office are implying to me that they will serve for that entire office and will not resign unless they can no longer serve.
If they quit-midterm they are saying that they didn’t care about receiving my original vote and I don’t give it to them again.
I won’t be voting for Mendoza or Preckwinkle because of this.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 2:17 pm
Hey Rich. Living downstate I don’t see Chicago politics as much. But what I do see is usually a no win situation. On top of that. If she plans another office later in her career I don’t see it. Daly may have been able to run the city for a really long time I don’t see anyone being able to do so again. Just my two cents worth.
Comment by Union thug Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 3:27 pm
@She’s a truth, looking back in the archives to find your demands that Gov. Rauner resign his seat to run for re-election - cause ya can’t do both. And Sam McCann and Kirk Dillard and Bill Brady all gave up their state senate seats to run for governor ’cause, of course, ya can’t do both. Please. Spare me the double-standard.
Comment by Uncharted Territory Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 3:40 pm
So the taxpayers of the state will be paying her while she runs for another office instead of devoting her time to this current job. How is this allowed to continue?
Comment by ejpp Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 4:05 pm
–So the taxpayers of the state will be paying her while she runs for another office instead of devoting her time to this current job. How is this allowed to continue?–
How exactly would you stop this practice, in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?
It’s been pretty common since the country’s founding.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 4:35 pm
Pretty interesting that folks are blaming late invoices on the person who writes the checks rather than the person who is supposed to put together the budget but instead ignored that key responsibility for years….
There’s a reason the check writer won re-election and the budget maker lost bigly.
Comment by Anono Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 5:52 pm
…And she changed her sweater.
Comment by Anono Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 5:53 pm