George Cardenas
Democratic candidate for Mayor in Illinois
$111.3K
FEB 24, 2027
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — Chicago Mayor winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
1%chance to win
$111.3KFEB 24, 2027Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleCommissioner
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age61 years old (Oct 9, 1964)
GenderMale
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LocationIllinois
BackgroundCook County Board of Review commissioner (1st District)
EducationNortheastern Illinois University — undergraduate degree in accounting
Notable personal detailsGeorge A. Cardenas is a Cook County Board of Review commissioner for the 1st District and serves as chairman of the Board of Review. He previously represented Chicago’s 12th Ward as an alderman from 2003 to 2022, including service as deputy floor leader and as chair of the City Council’s Environmental Protection and Energy Committee. He emigrated from Durango, Mexico as a child, graduated from Lane Technical High School, served in the U.S. Navy, and earned degrees from Northeastern Illinois University.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
George Cardenas emphasizes fiscal discipline, property tax fairness, and reforms aimed at protecting homeowners from sharp tax spikes. His record also includes support for new local revenue measures such as a sugary drink tax and a safety fee, alongside a focus on public accountability and fiscal stability.
Healthcare
George Cardenas has described supporting families through a program that would connect them to jobs, healthcare, housing, and behavioral support. He has also proposed consolidating city health insurance contracts, rebidding benefits, and exploring self-insurance as part of a cost-savings plan.
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Immigration & Border
Cardenas has supported stronger protections for undocumented immigrants in Chicago, including tightening the Welcoming City ordinance to keep police out of deportation enforcement. He also backed a resolution urging the federal government to stop deportations of non-criminals and to extend DACA protections. His public profile also notes that he came to Chicago as a child after emigrating from Mexico.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Cardenas opposed public subsidy for a health system with an anti-abortion policy and said he could not support tax dollars for that institution. He framed the issue as a concern about women being denied care and wanting his daughters to have access to reproductive health decisions between a patient and doctor.
Climate & Energy
George Cardenas supported Chicago City Council measures declaring a climate emergency and calling for renewable energy use, solar expansion, and a new Office of Environment. He also co-sponsored a resolution that laid out goals such as converting city buildings, fleet vehicles, and some private fleets to renewable energy or electric power by 2030, and he received a 75 on the 2023 Chicago environmental scorecard.
Public Safety & Guns
Cardenas has backed stronger gun laws at the state and federal level and has also promoted adding more police officers in Chicago. His public safety approach combines gun regulation with a law-enforcement emphasis rather than an anti-police stance.
Latest News
George Cardenas has entered the 2027 Chicago mayoral race, joining a crowded field challenging Mayor Brandon Johnson. He is pitching a campaign focused on cutting city spending, improving government efficiency, and tightening the budget, including pensions and other costs. Recent coverage says candidates are now gathering petition signatures and facing pressure to spell out detailed plans on safety, housing, transit, and fiscal stability.
Former Ald. George Cardenas enters race for Chicago mayor
Cardenas formally enters the crowded race for Chicago mayor
Chicago’s mayoral campaign revs up as circulation of nominating petitions starts
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley announces campaign for Chicago mayor
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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