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Brandon Johnson (born March 27, 1976)[1] is an American politician and former educator who since 2023 has served as the 57th mayor of Chicago.[2][3] A member of the Democratic Party, Johnson previously served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners from 2018 to 2023, representing the 1st district.

Key Information

Born and raised in Elgin, Illinois, Johnson started his career as a social studies teacher in the Chicago Public Schools system. He also was an active member of the Chicago Teachers Union, helping organize their 2012 strike. In his first race for public office, Johnson was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2018, defeating the incumbent. Johnson represented parts of Chicago's West Side and some of the city's western suburbs. He won reelection in 2022.

Johnson ran successfully for mayor of Chicago in 2023. In the first round of the election, he and Paul Vallas advanced to a runoff, unseating incumbent mayor Lori Lightfoot. Johnson subsequently defeated Vallas in the runoff election.[4][5]

Throughout his political career, Johnson has been described as a political progressive.[6] As mayor, Johnson has focused on combating homelessness and enacting police and education reform.[7]

Early life and education

[edit]

Johnson was born in Elgin, Illinois.[1] He was one of ten children born to Andrew and Wilma Jean Johnson. Johnson grew up in Elgin. His father was a pastor and his parents were occasional foster parents.[8] Johnson's father, Andrew Johnson, also worked at the Elgin Mental Health Center.[9] Johnson attended Elgin High School where he played baseball and was an all-conference defensive lineman in football.[10]

When Johnson was nineteen years old, his mother died of congestive heart failure.[8] Johnson met his wife, Stacie Rencher, at a religious convention. They married when Johnson was 22 years old.[11][12]

Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in youth development in 2004 and a master's degree in teaching in 2007, both from Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois.[8][13]

Early career

[edit]
Johnson during the 2019 Chicago Public Schools strike

Johnson worked as a social studies teacher at Jenner Academy Elementary from 2007 to 2010, a public school near the Cabrini-Green housing development on Chicago's Near North Side. Johnson then taught at George Westinghouse College Prep high school in the East Garfield Park neighborhood for less than one year, before becoming a full-time organizer.[12] Both are part of the Chicago Public Schools system.[14]

Johnson became an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union in 2011, and helped organize the 2012 Chicago teachers strike.[15] He also helped lead field campaigns during the 2015 Chicago mayoral and aldermanic elections.[14][15]

Johnson and his family live in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago.[12]

Cook County commissioner (2018–2023)

[edit]

Johnson ran against incumbent Richard Boykin in the 2018 election for the Cook County Board of Commissioner's 1st district. He was endorsed by a number of labor organizations and progressive advocacy groups, including the Chicago Teachers Union, Grassroots Illinois Action, The People's Lobby, Our Revolution, and SEIU Locals 1 and 73.[16] He was also endorsed by Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle.[17] He won the Democratic Party primary election on March 20, 2018, defeating Boykin by 0.8 percentage points (437 votes), and ran unopposed in the general election on November 6, 2018.[18] Johnson was sworn in as a Cook County commissioner on December 3, 2018.[19]

Johnson was the chief sponsor of the Just Housing Ordinance, which amended the county's housing ordinance by prohibiting potential landlords or property owners from asking about or considering prospective tenants' or homebuyers' criminal history.[15] The ordinance was passed in April 2019.[20][21]

In October 2019, Johnson spoke at a solidarity rally supporting striking teachers and support staff during the 2019 Chicago Public Schools Strike, and wrote supportive letters to the editor in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times.[22][23][24] Johnson worked as a paid organizer for CTU, focusing on legislative affairs.[15] Politico's Illinois Playbook reported after the strike that Johnson was rumored as a potential mayoral candidate in the 2023 election; Johnson responded by calling the rumors "laughable" and criticizing the publication for making a connection between the strike and his electoral career.[15] In November 2019, Johnson wrote an essay in a CTU publication drawing a distinction between the union's organizing model and "top-down school governance."[25][26]

Johnson endorsed Toni Preckwinkle ahead of the first round of the 2019 Chicago mayoral election.[27] He also endorsed Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the 2019 Chicago city treasurer election.[15] In August 2019, Johnson endorsed the candidacy of Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[28][29]

In the summer of 2020, amid the George Floyd protests, Johnson authored the "Justice for Black Lives" resolution that was adopted in July 2020.[30][31] The resolution called for reallocating funding "from policing and incarceration" to "public services not administered by law enforcement that promote community health and safety equitably."[30] In an interview that year, Johnson praised the political catchphrase "defund the police" as a "real political goal". He would later walk back his embrace of the phrase "defund the police", especially making an effort to disassociate himself from it during his 2023 mayoral campaign.[30][32]

Johnson was reelected in 2022.[33]

During Johnson's tenure on the Board of Commissioners, Board President Toni Preckwinkle exerted strong influence on the policy pursued by the body.[34] Johnson had generally been allied with Preckwinkle.[35]

2023 mayoral campaign

[edit]
Main article: 2023 Chicago mayoral election
Johnson's mayoral campaign logo

Johnson was elected the mayor of Chicago in the city's 2023 mayoral election. He became the third black person to be elected mayor of Chicago[36] and the first mayor to hail from the city's West Side since the 1930s.[37] Johnson was sworn in as Chicago's 57th[38] mayor on May 15, 2023.[39]

First round

[edit]

On September 13, 2022, Johnson launched an exploratory committee to consider running for in the 2023 mayoral election.[40] In the weeks that followed, he received endorsements from United Working Families,[41] the Chicago Teachers Union,[42] and progressive independent political organizations in the 30th, 33rd, 35th, and 39th wards.[43] On October 23, the American Federation of Teachers pledged to donate $1 million to Johnson's campaign should he enter the race.[43] On October 27, Johnson formally announced his candidacy at Seward Park.[44]

Johnson's campaign was supported by what Heather Cherone of WTTW News described as a "coalition of progressive groups".[45] Johnson was the beneficiary of Chuy García's decision to wait until after the 2022 United States House of Representatives election to announce his mayoral candidacy, as a number of groups that had supported García 2015 mayoral campaign, such as the Chicago Teachers Union and the United Working Families, grew impatient of waiting for a decision by García on whether he would run and instead pledged their support to Johnson.[46][47]

Johnson was described as a "progressive" and a favored "candidate of the left."[48][49][50] His campaign emphasized funding and resources for public schools,[51] a public safety platform that includes efficiency audits and non-police responses to mental health emergencies,[52] support for a real estate transfer tax to fund homelessness response and prevention,[51] and a budget that proposes raising $1 billion in new revenues, including through new or increased taxes on airlines, financial transactions, high-value real estate transfers, and hotels.[53][54][55] Amid polling showing crime and police relations as the leading issue, Johnson was the only primary candidate who did not express support for hiring more police officers, suggesting instead an increase in the detective force from existing ranks, citywide youth hiring, reopening mental health centers, and investment in violence prevention as means to address 'root causes of crime',[56] in line with voter preferences for increased job training and economic opportunity over force expansion.[57]

In the first round of the election on February 28, Johnson placed second with about 22% of the vote. He advanced to the runoff election on April 4, where he faced Paul Vallas, who placed first in the initial round with over 33% of the vote.[58][59][60]

Runoff

[edit]

After they were eliminated in the election's first round as mayoral candidates, U.S. Congressman Chuy García and Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner endorsed Johnson in the runoff.[61] Among the most prominent figures to endorse Johnson in the general election were activist and two-time presidential candidate Jesse Jackson,[62] Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle (the runner-up of the previous mayoral election in 2019),[63] Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul,[64] former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun (a 2004 presidential candidate 2011 mayoral candidate),[65] U.S. Congressman from South Carolina Jim Clyburn,[66] as well as U.S. Senators and former presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren (of Massachusetts)[29] and Bernie Sanders (of Vermont).[67]

Johnson alongside Paul Vallas at a runoff mayoral forum at Kenwood Academy, March 2023

Johnson criticized Vallas for ties to Republican Party organizations and figures, as well as his ties to conservative causes. In the first runoff debate, Johnson remarked, "Chicago cannot afford Republicans like Paul Vallas". In response, Vallas proclaimed himself a "lifelong Democrat", citing his candidacy in the primary of the 2002 Illinois gubernatorial election and his unsuccessful campaign as the Democratic Party's nominee for lieutenant governor in the 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election.[68][69] Johnson also attacked Vallas as having hurt Chicago Public Schools' finances during his tenure as CEO of Chicago Public Schools.[70] Vallas accused Johnson of lacking "substance", accusing him of lacking a significant political record.[68] Vallas campaigned on lowering crime while characterizing Johnson as wanting to "defund the police".[70]

On April 4, Johnson defeated Vallas to win the runoff election.[71] His victory was described as an upset victory by several media outlets.[72][73]

Johnson was significantly out-fundraised by Vallas,[74] and outspent by a ratio of nearly 2-to-1.[75] Some journalists have attributed grassroots organizing in support of Johnson's candidacy as having been the difference-maker in his victory.[76]

Mayor of Chicago (2023–present)

[edit]

Transition and inauguration

[edit]

Many who led Johnson's transition team, including its chair, had ties to trade unions.[77]

On April 6, 2023, Mayor-elect Johnson met with Mayor Lightfoot at her Chicago City Hall office in order to discuss the mayoral transition.[78][79] The following day, Mayor-elect Johnson met in person with Illinois governor J. B. Pritzker.[80] He met in person with Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul on April 14, 2023.[81]

On April 11, 2023, Chicago was announced to have won the right to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention.[82] Johnson had supported the city's bid. After defeating Lightfoot in the first round, both Johnson and Vallas vowed to support the convention bid that Lightfoot had been championing as mayor.[83] It was reported that when President Joe Biden made a congratulatory phone call to Johnson after he was projected the election's victory, Johnson took the opportunity to pitch him on Chicago's bid to host the convention.[84] After the mayoral election, in the final day before the Democratic National Committee was to select a host city for the convention, Johnson and Governor Pritzker had worked with each other to advance the case for Chicago to host.[85]

Approximately a week after his election, Johnson joined a picket line alongside striking faculty members at Chicago State University.[86]

In April 2023, after several large groups of teens and young adults engaged in shootings and vandalism across multiple locations in the city,[87] Mayor-Elect Johnson issued a statement, writing "...in no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend. It is unacceptable and has no place in our city. However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities."[88]

On April 18, Johnson began a trip to the state capital of Springfield, Illinois, holding meetings there with state lawmakers. The following day, he addressed the Illinois General Assembly.[89][90]

Johnson made staff decisions during the transition period, such as selecting his mayoral chief of staff.[91] It was announced that Interim Chief of Police Eric Carter would step down from that position on the day that Johnson is inaugurated.[92]

Johnson was inaugurated at noon on May 15, 2023, at the Credit Union 1 Arena.[93] Hours later he signed four executive orders relating to public safety, migrants and youth employment.[93]

"One Fair Wage"

[edit]

In October 2023, the City Council passed the "One Fair Wage" ordinance with the support of Johnson. The ordinance establishes a timeline for the eventual elimination of the subminimum wage for tipped workers by July 1, 2028.[94][95][96]

Housing and "Bring Chicago Home"

[edit]

As Mayor, Johnson has sought to remove red tape to streamline housing and commercial development in the city.[97]

During the 2023 mayoral campaign, Johnson campaigned on passing the "Bring Chicago Home" ordinance, a plan to increase the city's real estate transfer tax (RETT) on property sales over $1 million to fund affordable housing and homelessness support services.[98][99] In November 2023, City Council voted to put a referendum to change the tax on the primary election ballot in March 2024.[100] The referendum failed, with 53.2% of voters opposing the measure.[101]

In 2024, Johnson pushed for a 615-unit apartment building (of which 124 units were affordable housing) on the lot of a former industrial site at 1840 North Marcey Street. The alderman in the district, Scott Waguespack, sought to use his aldermanic privilege to block the housing development, but Johnson pushed to streamline the project and not allow Waguespack to delay or block it.[102][103]

In February 2025, Johnson introduced the Green Social Housing ordinance. The ordinance creates a city-run nonprofit run by the Department of Housing that finances private construction of mixed-income housing through low interest loans. Each new construction will have at least 30 percent affordable housing. After construction, the city retains a majority ownership stake and rent payments go into the funding of new developments. The buildings must also meet green sustainability standards designed to decrease carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and improve indoor air quality. In May, City Council approved the ordinance.[104][105] [106]

Chicago Public Schools

[edit]

In July 2023, Johnson appointed new members to the Chicago Board of Education, including appointing Jianan Shi as board president.[107]

In 2024, the city of Chicago was engaged in contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union (Johnson's former employer).[108] In July 2024, Johnson began suggesting that the school district should take on a new loan in order to cover expenses required to meet the teachers union's demands related to the funding of pensions and contracts.[109] However, higher-ups within the school district, as well as the school board, took issue, expressing concern over the prospect of taking on additional debt obligation considering its existing debts.[108]

Amid a standstill, the teachers union publicly lambasted Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, blaming him and pejoratively labeling him a "Lightfoot holdover".[108] Johnson also privately requested Martinez's resignation (though he publicly denied having done so).[110] On September 24, the Chicago Tribune published an op-ed by Martinez, in which he outlined his reasons for refusing Johnson's request for him to resign.[111]

With all of this occurring before a period of change for the board (with the 2024 board election set to reshape its composition from an entirely-appointed board to a hybrid board), the incumbent board members all declined to dismiss Martinez. Ultimately, this conflict led the board (including board president Jianan Shi) to tender their own resignations in early October. 41 out of the 50 members of the Chicago City Council (including some of Johnson's key council allies) signed an open letter criticizing Johnson's move to quickly reshape the board only weeks before the school board election.[110] Days later, Johnson named new appointees to six of the seven seats[112] Seven new appointed members and president were sworn in together on October 28.[113]

In his shakeup of the board, Johnson appointed Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson as the new board president.[114] After he was appointed, controversy arose over numerous social media posts he had previously made. Soon after he was appointed, attention was brought to a social media post he had made heralding the October 7 attacks as "resistance against oppression"; forty members of the city council and governor JB Pritzker expressed concern, with the governor accusing Mayor Johnson and his administration of failing to properly vet him.[115][116] Rev. Johnson later offered an apology for the offending post. The mayor initially defended his school board president, remarking:

He recognizes the harm those statements have caused, and has expressed his apology and will continue to seek atonement to have the full confidence in every community in the city of Chicago.[115]

Additional controversial social media posts came to light on October 31, including a misogynistic meme and a post asserting a 9/11 conspiracy theory. Governor Pritzker issued a public statement calling for Rev. Johnson's resignation. Journalists also uncovered many anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian posts on his social media accounts that used hostile and offensive rhetoric towards Jewish people.[117] Later that day, Rev. Johnson tendered his resignation as school board president, with the mayor releasing a statement that the board president's resignation had come at the mayor's request due to his past online statements which were "not only hurtful but deeply disturbing."[114][115] On December 11, Mayor Johnson appointed Sean Harden as board president.[118] On December 20, Johnson's new appointees to the school board unanimously voted to terminate Martinez from his position as CEO.[119]

Blocked economic efforts

[edit]

In mid November 2024 Johnson proposed a $300 million property tax increase to balance the city's budget which was unanimously rejected by the city council 50–0.[120] Johnson would attempt to backtrack, saying that the proposed increase wasn't serious but just to get people's attention.[120] In March of that year voters also rejected an increase to the real-estate transfer tax on properties valued at more than $1 million and his efforts to plan to use a high-interest loan to fund contract demands from the Chicago Teachers Union led to mass resignations of the Chicago school board.[120] The Wall Street Journal denounced Johnson's economic reforms as putting Chicago "on a progressive kamikaze course."[120]

Influence of senior advisor Jason Lee

[edit]

In 2024–25, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Johnson's senior advisor Jason Lee held considerable influence over Johnson's policymaking; the Sun-Times referred to Lee as Chicago's "shadow mayor."[121][122] Lee is the son of late Texas congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, and he maintains an official residence in Houston despite living in Chicago, voting as a Texas resident in 2024.[122]

Other matters

[edit]

In late November 2023, Johnson acknowledged that the City of Chicago, with the backing of Illinois governor JB Pritzker,[123] was set to construct a tent city hosting mostly Venezuelan migrants on the Southwest Side. Along with the encampments, Johnson teamed up with churches in 17 of Chicago's parishes to house roughly 350 migrants.[124]

In January 2024, Johnson cast a tiebreaking vote in support of a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza war.[125][126]

In February 2024, Johnson, as Mayor of Chicago, announced lawsuits against major oil and gas companies including BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Phillips 66, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute, accusing them of deceiving the public about the climate change impacts of their products, as the city of Chicago seeks accountability for climate change-related damages it has suffered.[127]

In October 2024, an Orthodox Jewish man was shot as he walked to his synagogue in the historically Jewish West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. Local Jewish activists and community groups condemned Johnson for neglecting to acknowledge the shooting victim's Jewish identity in his initial statement.[128] U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres of New York City criticized Johnson, implying that the mayor should resign if unwilling to take action against blatant antisemitism in the city.[128] In November, the Chicago Police Department announced the alleged shooter would face hate crime and terrorism charges.[129]

Approval ratings

[edit]

On October 29, 2024, Johnson was polled to have a 14% approval rating and a net favorability rating of –56.[130] On June 16, 2025, a poll was published that showed 26% approved of his job, 38% disapproved, and 36% expressed "mixed views", for a net approval of -12. This represented an improvement in net approval rating of 44 points from the October 2024 poll.[131]

Personal life

[edit]

Johnson lives in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago with his wife, Stacie, and their three children.[1][14]

In March 2023, it was revealed that Johnson owed the city of Chicago $3,357.04 in unpaid water and sewer charges and additional $1,144.58 in unpaid traffic tickets from 2014 and 2015.[132][133] However, Johnson's debts were confirmed to be paid in full by March 31, 2023.[134]

Electoral history

[edit]

Cook County Board of Commissioners

[edit]

2018

[edit]
Cook County Board of Commissioners 1st district Democratic primary[135]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Johnson 24,863 50.44
Democratic Richard Boykin (incumbent) 24,426 49.56
Total votes 49,289 100.00
Cook County Board of Commissioners 1st district election[136]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Johnson 88,590 100.00
Total votes 88,590 100.00

2022

[edit]
2022 Cook County Board of Commissioners 1st district Democratic primary[137]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Johnson (incumbent) 30,702 100.00
Total votes 30,702 100.00
2022 Cook County Board of Commissioners 1st district election[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Johnson (incumbent) 71,077 92.87
Libertarian James Humay 5,457 7.13
Total votes 76,534 100.00

Mayor of Chicago

[edit]
2023 Chicago mayoral election
Candidate General election[58] Runoff election[138]
Votes % Votes %
Brandon Johnson 122,093 21.63 319,481 52.16
Paul Vallas 185,743 32.90 293,033 47.84
Lori Lightfoot (incumbent) 94,890 16.81
Chuy García 77,222 13.68
Willie Wilson 51,567 9.13
Ja'Mal Green 12,257 2.17
Kam Buckner 11,092 1.96
Sophia King 7,191 1.27
Roderick Sawyer 2,440 0.43
Write-ins 29 0.00
Total 564,524 100.00 612,514 100.00

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brandon Johnson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Brandon Johnson (born March 27, 1976) is an American politician and former educator serving as the 57th since May 15, 2023. A Democrat with strong ties to organized labor, Johnson previously worked as a high school social studies teacher in and as a political organizer for the , from which he took unpaid leave in 2011 to focus on union activities. He represented the 1st district on the from 2018 to 2023, where he advocated for housing reforms including the Just Housing Ordinance to combat discriminatory practices. Johnson's 2023 mayoral campaign emphasized redirecting resources toward , , and to address root causes of , drawing support from progressive groups and the while facing criticism for past statements supporting "defund the police" as a political goal. He advanced from the nonpartisan primary to defeat Paul Vallas, a former schools CEO backed by business and interests, in the April 4 runoff with 52.2 percent of the vote. As mayor, Johnson has prioritized union-friendly policies, including negotiations with the teachers' union that have expanded benefits amid rising contract costs, and community investment strategies, though his administration has navigated fiscal challenges from pension obligations and migrant arrivals. Under Johnson's leadership, has recorded significant declines in , with overall violent incidents down 21.6 percent, homicides reduced by 32.3 percent, and shooting incidents falling 37.4 percent through mid-2025 compared to prior years, according to police department data—trends attributed by officials to targeted interventions rather than broad policing expansions. Controversies have included ethics questions over his ongoing union leave status during talks with the as his former employer, efforts to influence school board appointments favoring union priorities, and policies limiting federal on property, which have strained relations with state and federal authorities amid resource strains from influxes.

Early life and education

Childhood and upbringing

Brandon Johnson grew up in , as the sixth of ten children in a working-class family facing periodic financial hardships, including periods without water or electricity. His father, Rev. Andrew Johnson II, served as a pastor in the , leading a congregation of around 300, and supported the family through various jobs such as carpentry, truck driving, and employment at the after a back injury ended other work. His mother, Wilma Jean Johnson, styled hair from home and assisted in the family's ministry efforts; she died of congestive heart failure in 1995 at age 50. The Johnson household in Elgin, a three-bedroom home, regularly hosted studies, foster children, and individuals escaping , instilling values of service and hospitality amid cramped conditions that required negotiation among siblings. The family initially attended a congregation before establishing their own ministry, where daily prayers at 5:30 a.m. and twice-weekly services were routine. Following his mother's death, Johnson, then 19, assumed leadership of the church's Tuesday night youth group, driving a 15-passenger van to transport underprivileged teens, counseling them on personal challenges like and relationships, and organizing competitions where he played drums. He also coordinated with siblings to manage household responsibilities, demonstrating early organizational skills in a collaborative family dynamic.

Academic background

Brandon Johnson earned a degree in , specializing in youth development programming and management, from in 2004. He subsequently obtained a in teaching from the same institution in 2007. These degrees represent the extent of his formal higher education, with no record of additional advanced qualifications.

Early career

Teaching roles

Brandon Johnson began his teaching career in in 2007 as a at Jenner Academy of the Arts, a K-8 in the then Cabrini-Green development on the Near North Side. The served a predominantly low-income, African American student population in an area marked by concentrated and urban challenges. In 2010, Johnson transferred to George Westinghouse College Prep, a selective-enrollment high school in East Garfield Park on the West Side, where he taught social studies and history until 2011. Westinghouse drew students from surrounding neighborhoods with high rates of economic disadvantage and violence, focusing on college preparatory education amid resource constraints typical of many Chicago district schools. Colleagues recalled Johnson as an energetic educator who incorporated interactive methods, such as games and movement activities during lessons, to foster student participation in and classes at Westinghouse. He taught for approximately four years in active classroom roles before taking extended leave from CPS in 2011. Johnson's tenure occurred during a period of district-wide pressures, including budget shortfalls and policy shifts under and incoming Rahm , though specific impacts on his classrooms were not detailed in contemporaneous accounts.

Labor organizing

In 2011, Brandon Johnson transitioned from teaching middle school in to a full-time organizer role with the (CTU), Local 1. In this capacity, he focused on mobilizing educators and advocating for increased school funding, smaller class sizes, and opposition to school privatization efforts, including the expansion of charter schools. Johnson's organizing work contributed to the CTU's preparations for , aligning with the union's broader strategy to address underfunding and resource inequities in public education. Johnson played a key role in the CTU's high-profile labor actions, including the 2012 teachers' strike that involved approximately 26,000 educators and shut down schools for seven days starting September 10. As an organizer during this period, he helped coordinate member outreach and rally support for demands centered on hiring more staff, enhancing support services, and resisting policies perceived as undermining traditional public schools. He continued this advocacy through the 2019 strike, which lasted 11 school days from October 17 and emphasized similar priorities alongside promises for and protections as "" bargaining items. Advancing within the CTU, Johnson rose to political director by 2018, where he forged alliances among reformers and promoted the community schools model, which integrates academic, health, social, and family support services into operations to serve as neighborhood hubs. This approach, championed by the CTU as a counter to , aimed to bolster under-resourced schools through partnerships with community organizations, reflecting Johnson's emphasis on holistic reform over market-based alternatives.

Cook County Board of Commissioners (2018–2023)

Election and initial term

Brandon Johnson secured election to the Cook County Board of Commissioners representing the 1st District, which includes Chicago's Austin neighborhood, in the 2018 election. Running as a Democratic candidate with endorsement from the Chicago Teachers Union, he upset incumbent Richard Boykin in the March 20, 2018, primary by a margin of 436 votes once all precincts reported, despite Boykin's support from established figures including U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis and businessman Willie Wilson. Johnson's campaign, backed by progressive groups such as Our Revolution Illinois and MoveOn.org, emphasized generating revenue through taxing large corporations to fund accessible healthcare—including mental health services and expansions of programs like CountyCare—job training for unemployed youth, and equitable school funding to avert closures and layoffs. He also advocated reforming tax increment financing (TIF) districts to redirect surplus funds toward public priorities like education and public safety, while opposing privatization of county services and property tax freezes that would shift burdens to lower-income residents. Johnson won the November 6, 2018, unopposed in the heavily Democratic district and began his term later that December. In his early tenure, he focused on budget oversight, pushing for progressive revenue measures to bolster and , such as leveraging the Chicago-Cook Workforce Partnership for youth employment programs. Johnson was reelected to a second term in the November 8, 2022, without opposition, reflecting consolidated support in amid his rising profile as a progressive voice.

Policy positions and initiatives

During his tenure on the , Johnson sponsored the "Just Housing" amendment, enacted in 2020, which barred landlords from denying rentals based on criminal convictions older than seven years, leading to 42 filed complaints and settlements exceeding $31,000 by 2023. He co-sponsored the "Justice for Black Lives" resolution passed in July 2020 with 15 board members, which urged racial equity audits of county spending, deployment of professionals as to certain crises, and reallocation of resources from traditional policing—though the non-binding measure included no specific funding or enforcement mechanisms. In late 2022, Johnson voted against a $275,000 amendment to integrate social workers into 911 dispatch operations for calls, arguing instead for expanded frontline responder programs. Johnson supported the board's approval of nearly $75 million in grants for prevention and reduction programs in August 2022, with funds directed toward community-based interventions in high-violence neighborhoods like Austin on Chicago's West Side, drawing from American Rescue Plan Act allocations. He also backed a $42 million guaranteed basic income pilot program launched in fall 2022, providing monthly stipends to low-income residents, and a $12 million relief initiative in the 2023 county budget aimed at forgiving debts under $500 for qualifying individuals. These efforts, often framed as equity-focused investments, aligned closely with progressive priorities from Johnson's prior role as a organizer, including emphasis on over punitive measures. Critics, including political opponents, noted Johnson's legislative record emphasized symbolic resolutions and smaller-scale pilots with modest fiscal scale—totaling tens of millions amid a multi-billion-dollar county budget—rather than leading major budget overhauls, which were dominated by Board President Toni Preckwinkle's administration. On a board with a strong Democratic majority, Johnson's votes showed limited bipartisan engagement, as Republican commissioners were few and initiatives rarely crossed partisan lines. No records indicate opposition to annual levy increases during his term, despite later campaign rhetoric favoring alternatives like a on high-value property sales.

2023 Chicago mayoral election

Campaign platform

Johnson's 2023 mayoral campaign centered on a progressive agenda prioritizing racial and economic equity, community-led safety initiatives, and investments in and without raising property taxes for residents. He promised to allocate resources toward an "equity budget" that would redirect funds from inefficient spending to address systemic disparities, including $1 billion annually over four years for , health, services, , and job programs. This approach framed public safety not through expanded policing but via reinvestment in , such as reopening mental health clinics closed since the 1980s and creating an Office of Community Safety to handle non-violent calls with mental health professionals under a "Treatment Not Trauma" model. Johnson advocated cutting at least $150 million from the budget to fund these alternatives, while clarifying that "defund the police" meant reallocating resources to proven community interventions rather than outright abolition. On housing, Johnson pledged to expand affordable units for all income levels, support the "Bring Chicago Home" to tax high-value sales for prevention, and preserve pathways to amid a 12% rise in since 2019. In education, drawing from his background as and , he committed to establishing sustainable community schools from pre-K through City Colleges, fully resourcing neighborhood schools with libraries, clinicians, and trauma support, and reversing prior closures to promote equity. For , he vowed no increases, instead targeting corporations and high earners to ensure the wealthy "pay their fair share" through efficient budget management and closing corporate loopholes. Johnson positioned himself as an outsider challenging Chicago's entrenched "machine politics," backed by endorsements from the on September 28, 2022, and progressive coalitions aiming to build a multiracial movement for transformation. His platform critiqued prior administrations for favoring special interests over community needs, promising innovative, people-centered governance.

Primary election

In the Democratic primary for the 2023 Chicago mayoral election, held on February 28, 2023, nine candidates competed, with voters selecting under a plurality system where the top two vote-getters advanced to an April runoff since no one secured a majority. Paul Vallas led with 35.0% of the vote (approximately 149,751 votes), followed by Brandon Johnson with 21.6% (about 92,126 votes), while incumbent Lori Lightfoot placed third with 16.4% (roughly 70,008 votes) and was eliminated. Other candidates, including Jesús "Chuy" García (13.5%) and Willie Wilson (10.3%), trailed further, reflecting a fragmented field amid low turnout of about 37% of registered voters. Johnson's performance marked a late surge, driven by strong backing from voters, who comprised a key demographic; he secured majorities in most Black-majority wards on the and West Sides, contrasting Vallas's dominance in white and police-heavy areas. Progressive endorsements and grassroots mobilization further bolstered his campaign, positioning him as an alternative to Vallas's establishment appeal and Lightfoot's incumbency fatigue. The (CTU), where Johnson had previously organized, provided significant financial support, contributing over $6 million in direct and independent expenditures, enabling competitive advertising despite Vallas's fundraising edge from business donors. Pre-primary debates and forums, such as those hosted by ABC7 in January and in late January, underscored divides on and , with Johnson critiquing "tough-on-crime" policies as exacerbating inequality and advocating investments in and over policing expansions—a stance that resonated with progressive and younger voters but drew fire from Vallas and for perceived leniency amid rising homicides. These exchanges highlighted Johnson's outsider narrative, rooted in his teaching and union background, against Vallas's emphasis on school turnaround experience and 's record of post-George Floyd police reforms, setting the stage for the top-two matchup.

Runoff election

The April 4, 2023, runoff election pitted Brandon Johnson against , former CEO of , in a contest marked by sharp contrasts on public safety and . Johnson secured victory with 319,481 votes (52.2 percent) to Vallas's 291,693 votes (47.8 percent), a margin of 27,788 votes after all precincts reported. This outcome reflected Johnson's strength in majority-Black wards on the and West Sides, where he garnered over 80 percent support in some areas, offsetting Vallas's dominance in white and police-heavy neighborhoods. Voter turnout reached approximately 37 percent of registered voters, an increase from the February primary's 26 percent but still moderate compared to historical runoffs, with mobilization concentrated among ideological bases rather than citywide enthusiasm. The ideological clash—Johnson advocating treatment of crime's root causes like and over expanded policing, versus Vallas's emphasis on hiring more officers and opposing "defund " rhetoric—drove targeted turnout among progressives and labor allies. Johnson's campaign benefited from endorsements by U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" , who urged his primary supporters to back Johnson, and Rev. , whose influence in Black communities helped consolidate votes against Vallas. Opponents, including Vallas, accused Johnson's strategy of race-baiting by framing the race in terms of racial justice and systemic inequities to appeal to voters, rather than engaging substantive differences on and taxes. Vallas countered with support from police unions and leaders, positioning himself as the pragmatic choice amid rising homicides, but failed to overcome Johnson's progressive coalition despite leading early on election night. The win represented a rejection of Vallas's law-and-order focus in favor of Johnson's vision for transformative investments, though the narrow margin underscored divided sentiments in a city grappling with post-pandemic challenges.

Mayoral administration (2023–present)

Transition period and inauguration

Following his victory in the , 2023, mayoral runoff , Brandon Johnson formed the "Chicago for the People" transition team, drawing on nearly 400 participants organized into 11 subcommittees covering topics including , public safety, , and . The initiative prioritized input from community leaders, educators, and equity-focused advocates, aligning with Johnson's emphasis on addressing systemic disparities rooted in his experience as a former teacher and union organizer. Co-chairs for the subcommittees, including figures from labor, academia, and nonprofit sectors, were announced on April 11, 2023, followed by broader appointments on April 30, 2023. Notable among the transition appointees were allies from the (CTU), such as union leaders tasked with advising on education and workforce issues, underscoring the prospective administration's alignment with organized labor influences that had propelled Johnson's campaign. This composition generated early discussions about potential union sway over policy direction, though the team produced recommendations aimed at broad governance reforms rather than immediate implementations. Johnson was sworn in as Chicago's 57th mayor on May 15, 2023, at on the campus, in a ceremony attended by state officials, family, and supporters representing a multicultural coalition. During the event, he outlined a commitment to a "people's agenda" centered on equity and collaboration to tackle entrenched urban challenges, set against the backdrop of an escalating migrant influx bused from since late 2022, which was already taxing shelter and service capacities. The transition concluded with a formal handover from outgoing Mayor , marking a peaceful shift in power.

Public safety policies

Upon taking office in May 2023, Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized a public safety strategy rooted in the "Treatment Not Trauma" framework, which prioritizes addressing crises and root causes such as and intergenerational trauma over traditional policing for non-violent incidents. This approach, endorsed during his campaign, led to initiatives like reopening shuttered clinics, establishing a 24/7 , and expanding non-police response teams for emergencies, with $15.9 million allocated in the 2024 budget to double such responders. Johnson has publicly attributed urban violence primarily to socioeconomic factors rather than insufficient , stating that " is the biggest driver of violence" and advocating for investments in community programs as alternatives to expanded policing. Johnson's administration implemented modest adjustments to police funding, avoiding deep cuts despite campaign-era associations with "defund the police" rhetoric from his background. The 2024 maintained core police operations while reallocating resources toward the People's Plan for Community Safety, a community-led effort to combat disinvestment through violence interruption and youth programs, and the Protecting Initiative launched in 2025, which coordinates departmental campaigns to enhance resident awareness of safety resources. Police hiring and overtime were prioritized under Superintendent Larry Snelling, appointed in 2023, to bolster patrols amid ongoing recruitment challenges, though critics noted initial delays in filling vacancies contributed to response time issues. Empirical data under Johnson's tenure show substantial declines in , continuing a downward trend that began in 2022 but accelerating in 2024–2025. Year-to-date through August 2025, homicides fell 32.3% and overall dropped 21.6% compared to the same period in 2024, with shooting incidents down 37.4% and robberies decreasing 31.9%. Summer 2025 (June–August) recorded the fewest murders—123—since 1965, a 24% reduction from the prior year, amid 941 illegal gun recoveries by police. These improvements align with national post-pandemic reversals in crime spikes, but Chicago's steeper drops relative to peer cities suggest contributions from targeted interventions like increased shot-spotter usage and community partnerships, though causal attribution remains debated due to confounding factors such as demographic shifts and underreporting risks in official statistics. Criticisms of Johnson's policies center on early messaging perceived as soft on , including his campaign support for reallocating police funds and reluctance to fully disavow "defund" language, which some argue eroded public confidence and may have indirectly influenced offender behavior despite empirical gains. Opponents, including police unions, have highlighted instances of delayed responses to calls under the Treatment Not Trauma model and accused the administration of politicizing safety by prioritizing non-enforcement alternatives amid persistent and retail theft issues, even as overall metrics improved. Johnson has countered that such critiques ignore data-driven progress and systemic inequities, insisting that sustainable safety requires holistic investments beyond incarceration.

Fiscal and economic policies

Johnson's initial budget proposals as emphasized increased spending on while seeking new sources to address structural deficits. In November 2024, the unanimously rejected his proposed $300 million increase for the 2025 fiscal year, marking the first such unanimous defeat of a mayoral budget item in recent history. Subsequent scaled-back requests for $150 million and $68.5 million hikes were also abandoned by December 2024, resulting in a $17.1 billion without increases, achieved through alternative measures and spending adjustments. Efforts to implement a "" via the "Bring Chicago Home" , which aimed to restructure transfer taxes on properties over $1 million to fund initiatives, failed in the March 19, 2024, with 54% voting against and 46% in favor, based on over 98% of precincts reporting. and groups opposed the measure, arguing it would deter investment in a recovering market. In October 2025, Johnson proposed declaring a record $1 billion surplus from (TIF) districts to allocate toward and city budget balancing, representing a 75% increase over the prior year's TIF surplus; however, aldermen expressed concerns over diverting funds from neighborhood remediation. To close persistent gaps without broad property tax hikes, Johnson's administration has targeted large corporations and technology firms for additional revenue. The October 2025 "Protect Chicago" budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 included reviving a corporate head tax charging $21 per employee per month for companies with at least 100 workers spending over 50% of time in the city, alongside a per-user fee on platforms and hikes on alcohol and streaming services, aiming to generate $617 million. These measures drew sharp opposition from business groups, including the Chicagoland , which warned they would hinder investment and job creation by making less competitive. Governor JB Pritzker also publicly rejected the head tax component. Chicago's fiscal challenges under Johnson have included recurring deficits exacerbated by external pressures, with a projected $982.4 million shortfall for 2025—nearly double the prior year's gap—and a $1.15 billion gap forecasted for 2026, ending the 2025 with a $146 million deficit amid uncertainties in reimbursements. Migrant influx costs have added strain, with $150 million allocated in the 2023 for and care, contributing to broader resource pressures amid a city that has expanded by $6 billion since pre-COVID levels while facing deficits annually since 2001. No significant private-sector job growth has been directly attributable to Johnson's economic policies; while youth employment programs exceeded targets by hiring nearly 29,000 participants in summer 2025, overall manufacturing jobs declined, and /O'Hare recovery predates his tenure without clear policy linkages.

Housing and urban development

Johnson's administration pursued the "Bring Chicago Home" in the March 19, 2024, primary election, which sought to amend the city's by increasing rates on property sales over $1 million to generate funds for prevention and initiatives. The measure failed, with 52.3% of voters opposing it and 47.7% supporting, reflecting resistance to the proposed tax hike amid concerns over its economic impacts. On April 5, 2024, Johnson released the "Cut the Tape" report, outlining over 100 administrative actions to streamline permitting and approval processes for housing development, aiming to reduce bureaucratic delays and accelerate construction amid Chicago's acute shortage of units. However, by April 2025, implementation had progressed minimally, with many recommendations unacted upon, leaving regulatory hurdles largely intact and failing to significantly boost housing supply. In February 2025, Johnson introduced the Green Social Housing Ordinance, which the City Council passed on May 7, 2025, by a 30-18 vote, establishing a city-owned nonprofit developer to partner with private entities on projects featuring at least 30% affordable units and sustainable designs. The program includes issuing $135 million in loans to support initial developments, though critics argue it prioritizes environmental mandates and public oversight over rapid supply expansion, potentially elevating construction costs without addressing core regulatory barriers. Amid a persistent shortage—exacerbated by low vacancy rates and rising rents—Johnson's policies have emphasized rehabilitating existing public and vacant properties, such as the November 2024 launch of Rebuild 2.0 targeting disinvested areas and ongoing renovations. These efforts have delivered targeted affordable units, like West Side openings in October 2025, but have not yielded substantial net increases in inventory, with analysts noting that without broader , such measures fail to counteract demand pressures and may inadvertently raise overall costs through added compliance burdens.

Education reforms

Upon assuming office, Johnson oversaw the transition of the Board of Education from full mayoral control to a hybrid model featuring 10 elected members and 11 mayoral appointees, amid tensions over the shift's implementation. In December , he appointed 10 members to the appointed portion of the board, including Sean Harden as president, following the of the initial elected slate and amid disputes regarding the hybrid structure's effectiveness in aligning with district priorities. Johnson advanced the Sustainable Community Schools model, rooted in Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) advocacy, which transforms select public schools into hubs offering extended academic, health, social, and wellness services beyond traditional hours. In August 2025, designated 16 additional schools—primarily in and West Side neighborhoods—for this model, increasing the total to 36 and partnering with community organizations for integrated supports like and family resources. The initiative emphasizes wraparound services to address non-academic barriers, though critics argue it prioritizes staffing expansions over core instructional improvements. Reflecting his CTU background, Johnson has opposed expansions of schools, viewing them as diverting resources from neighborhood public schools. His administration facilitated the transition of five Acero charter schools into district management in 2025, a move supported by CTU-aligned board appointees despite parent concerns over choice restrictions. He pledged against closing high-performing schools, including charters and selective-enrollment options, pending full board input, but has resisted broader charter growth amid ongoing enrollment pressures. Chicago Public Schools faced persistent challenges under these reforms, including a 9,000-student enrollment drop for the 2025-2026 school year—reversing prior migrant-driven gains and resuming a decade-long decline from 396,683 students in 2014—exacerbating per-pupil funding strains. contract negotiations with CTU, echoing past strike tensions, culminated in a "" agreement ratified in April 2025, granting significant wage hikes and staffing additions but drawing criticism for fiscal burdens estimated to exceed prior deals without offsetting revenue boosts. Johnson mediated directly in talks, securing union-endorsed terms, though the deal's long-term impact on district outcomes remains under scrutiny amid stagnant academic metrics.

Immigration and migrant response

Upon assuming office in May 2023, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson inherited an ongoing migrant influx that began in August 2022, with over 51,000 migrants arriving primarily via buses organized by Texas Governor Greg Abbott as a response to federal border policies. Johnson publicly condemned these busing efforts, describing them as "evil" and accusing Abbott of creating "chaos" and acting "recklessly," while emphasizing the city's limited capacity to absorb additional arrivals without federal assistance. Johnson's administration expanded shelter operations, converting police stations, parks, and hotels into temporary housing and contracting private firms for staffing, with city expenditures reaching $638.7 million by February 2025 to cover housing, food, and services for migrants. These costs strained the municipal budget, prompting Johnson to request supplemental funding, such as $70 million in April 2024, amid projections of ongoing annual outlays exceeding $300 million without broader state or federal reimbursement. Reaffirming Chicago's status as a under the 1985 Welcoming City Ordinance, which restricts local cooperation with federal authorities, Johnson testified before in March 2025 defending these policies as essential for community trust and public safety cooperation. In response to heightened federal enforcement under the second Trump administration, he signed 2025-6 on August 30, 2025, establishing the "Protecting Chicago Initiative" to educate residents on rights and limit city resources for deportations, followed by an October 6, 2025, " Free Zone" order prohibiting federal agents from using city property for enforcement operations. While criticizing prior federal inaction on border management and repeatedly calling for national support alongside mayors of New York and Denver, Johnson's resistance to deportations drew backlash, including from President Trump, who accused him of obstructing federal officers. The resource diversion fueled public discontent, particularly in Black communities, where residents and critics argued that migrant aid prioritized newcomers over longstanding local needs like housing and violence prevention, contributing to perceptions of fiscal mismanagement.

Other initiatives

In February 2024, the Johnson administration filed lawsuits in Cook County Circuit Court against major oil and gas companies, including , Chevron, , , , and Shell, as well as the , alleging decades of deception regarding the climate impacts of fossil fuels and seeking damages for related city expenditures on events. The suits claim the defendants misled Chicago residents and contributed to costs exceeding $1.5 billion for infrastructure adaptations to flooding, , and other climate effects since 2010. The "Safe and Affordable Summer" initiative for 2025 provided over 30,000 youth jobs through partnerships with , Hire360, and labor unions, alongside advancements in more than 2,000 units and community violence intervention programs. Announced as a strategy to promote youth and neighborhood stability during summer months, the program allocated $100 million in city funds for job placements emphasizing skill-building in and green industries. Johnson's administration pursued ethics reforms, including a September 2024 City Council ordinance granting the Board of Ethics authority to enforce bans on lobbyist donations to mayoral campaigns, with fines up to $5,000 for violations. However, implementation has been constrained by ongoing disputes over enforcement and investigations, with limited proactive measures from the mayor's office despite council overrides of administrative resistance. Economic development efforts targeted Chicago's West Side through the "Build Better Together" strategy launched in March 2025, which coordinates investments in housing, small businesses, and job training to foster in underserved areas. This included groundbreaking for projects like the Humboldt Passive Living development in May 2025, delivering 60 units and commercial spaces in Humboldt Park, supported by $1.25 billion in housing bonds allocated for neighborhood revitalization.

Controversies and criticisms

Ethical and advisory influence issues

In October 2025, Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg recommended the firing of Mayor Brandon Johnson's senior adviser Jason Lee for failing to cooperate with an investigation into allegations that Lee conditioned city services on an alderman's political support, including a probe into a potential quid pro quo threat against Ald. Bill Conway. Johnson rejected the recommendation, defending Lee's role despite evidence of misconduct documented by the inspector general's office. Lee, a key figure in Johnson's administration with influence over policy implementation and political strategy, faced prior scrutiny in December 2024 for potential voter fraud after casting a ballot in Texas while serving as a Chicago city employee required to maintain local residency. The U.S. Department of Justice initiated a civil rights probe in May 2025 into Chicago's hiring practices following Johnson's public statements prioritizing the recruitment of Black candidates for city positions, examining whether such approaches violated federal anti-discrimination laws by favoring race over qualifications. Johnson responded by framing the investigation as politically motivated, while defending the practices as necessary for diversifying city employment, though critics argued they undermined merit-based selection and raised ethical concerns about impartiality in appointments. Johnson's appointments have drawn allegations of favoritism toward allies from the (CTU), with whom he organized prior to his mayoralty, including ethics concerns over overlapping ties between city roles, school board selections, and union interests that potentially prioritized ideological alignment over independent oversight. A December 2023 Chicago Board of Ethics finding highlighted improper donations from lobbyists to Johnson's campaign fund, underscoring broader questions about influence peddling in hiring and advisory networks linked to his political base.

Policy implementation failures

Despite campaigning on a promise not to increase es, Brandon Johnson proposed a $300 million hike in his October 30, 2024, presentation for fiscal year 2025, citing a need to address a shortfall without layoffs. This marked a reversal of his pledge, as the increase would have raised the city's levy by approximately 10% from the prior year. The unanimously rejected the proposal on December 2, 2024, forcing Johnson to adopt alternative revenue measures, though the episode highlighted fiscal constraints that undermined his no-hike commitment. The influx of over 40,000 migrants to since August 2022 strained city resources under Johnson's administration, leading to shelter system overloads and policy shifts by late 2024. By January 2025, expenditures exceeded $600 million, primarily allocated to vendors, amid reports of facilities operating at or beyond capacity, prompting a 60-day stay limit implemented in 2024 with extensions granted case-by-case. This resulted in evictions and heightened community tensions, particularly in neighborhoods on the and West Sides, where residents cited for services and public spaces as exacerbating local hardships. In response to ongoing budget pressures and declining arrivals, Johnson announced on , 2024, the closure of the separate migrant system by year's end, merging it into the existing homeless services framework with 6,800 total beds, effectively acknowledging the unsustainability of the dual-system approach. Johnson's progressive priorities encountered significant setbacks, including the defeat of the "Bring Chicago Home" referendum on March 19, 2024, which sought to restructure real estate transfer taxes—lowering rates on sales under $1 million while increasing them on properties over $1.5 million—to generate funds for homelessness and affordable housing initiatives. The measure failed with approximately 53% voting against it, marking an early reversal for Johnson's housing agenda and drawing criticism for its potential to deter real estate investment amid economic uncertainty. Efforts to advance elected school board reforms and reduce bureaucratic hurdles in development also stalled, as persistent red tape and inter-agency conflicts, including with the Chicago Housing Authority, limited progress on promised affordable units despite initial strides. These outcomes reflected causal gaps between ambitious rhetoric and executable policy, compounded by revenue shortfalls and opposition from stakeholders.

Public perception and approval ratings

A poll conducted by the 's Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation in collaboration with NORC at the , released on August 14, 2025, found that Brandon Johnson's job approval rating stood at 26% citywide, with 58% disapproving and 16% offering no opinion. The disapproval was consistent across demographic groups, including all racial categories, age cohorts, and income levels, with no subgroup exceeding 30% approval. Earlier surveys reflected even lower support; a February 2025 poll by M3 Strategies reported Johnson's approval at 14%, marking the lowest in recorded Chicago mayoral history, with nearly 80% viewing him unfavorably. Subset analyses in subsequent reporting, particularly on public safety perceptions, cited approval ratings as low as 6% among certain voter segments. Analyses of mid-term sentiment in 2025 attributed widespread disenchantment to ongoing urban crises and administrative missteps, such as unexpected shortfalls, despite measurable declines in metrics like homicides. This gap suggested that public perceptions had not yet aligned with improving empirical data on , while Democratic observers highlighted risks of progressive policy overreach contributing to sustained unpopularity.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Brandon Johnson is married to Stacie, a communications professional, and they have three children: sons Owen and Ethan, and daughter Braedyn. The family resides in Chicago's Austin neighborhood on the city's West Side, where Johnson has emphasized raising his children amid community challenges. Public information about the family remains limited, with Johnson prioritizing their privacy following his election as mayor in April 2023; his wife and children attended his inauguration on May 15, 2023, but have not been prominently involved in his political activities beyond such ceremonial appearances.

Electoral history

Cook County commissioner elections

In the 2018 Democratic primary for Cook County Board District 1 on , Johnson defeated incumbent with 50.4% of the vote (24,863 votes) to Boykin's 49.6% (24,426 votes), in a contest marked by high turnout driven by labor union mobilization in Chicago's west and south side communities. District 1 encompasses portions of these areas, where Johnson's background as a Chicago Teachers Union organizer contributed to robust support from organized labor voters.) In the general election on November 6, Johnson faced no Republican opponent and received 100% of the vote (88,590 votes).
ElectionDateCandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Democratic PrimaryMarch 20, 2018Brandon JohnsonDemocratic24,86350.4%
Democratic PrimaryMarch 20, 2018Democratic24,42649.6%
General ElectionNovember 6, 2018Brandon JohnsonDemocratic88,590100%
Johnson sought re-election in 2022, advancing unopposed in the Democratic primary on June 28 with 100% of the vote (30,702 votes). In the general election on November 8, he defeated Libertarian James Humay, securing 92.9% (71,077 votes) to Humay's 7.1% (5,457 votes), reflecting sustained dominance in the heavily Democratic district. This outcome underscored continued strong backing from union-affiliated voters in District 1, with minimal opposition turnout.)
ElectionDateCandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Democratic PrimaryJune 28, 2022Brandon JohnsonDemocratic30,702100%
General ElectionNovember 8, 2022Brandon JohnsonDemocratic71,07792.9%
General ElectionNovember 8, 2022James HumayLibertarian5,4577.1%

The featured a nonpartisan primary on February 28, 2023, followed by a runoff on April 4, 2023, after no secured a in the primary. In the primary, Brandon Johnson garnered 137,591 votes, or 21.6 percent, finishing second behind Paul Vallas's 34.7 percent, advancing to the runoff against Vallas. for the primary was approximately 26 percent of registered voters. In the runoff, Johnson defeated Vallas with 319,481 votes, or 52.2 percent, to Vallas's 292,517 votes, or 47.8 percent, securing victory by a margin of 26,964 votes. Turnout increased slightly to about 35 percent of registered voters. Johnson's support was concentrated among voters, particularly in and West Side wards where he won majorities, as well as progressive voters in North Side lakefront areas; he flipped several wards from the primary through higher mobilization in these demographics despite overall low turnout among and Latino voters. Campaign spending favored Johnson through substantial union contributions, with over 95 percent of his funds from unions including nearly $1 million from the acting in support of his bid. Vallas relied more on individual donors, highlighting divergent funding bases in the race totaling tens of millions across candidates and allied groups.

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