The Brief Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced he will run for mayor of Chicago in 2027. Alexi Giannoulias, the Secretary of State of Illinois, announced he will run for mayor of Chicago next year and is widely seen as one of the top contenders in the race. In his 2022 race, Giannoulias defeated his GOP opponent by more than 10 percentage points in a year that was better for Republicans nationwide. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released two campaign ads last month despite being widely expected to sail to reelection in November. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said she is foregoing another term in her statewide office to run for mayor.