Campaign Updates
The latest releases, statements, and coverage from and about Joe for Chicago.
'In the Loop' is interviewing candidates for the next mayor of Chicago, and inviting listeners to ask their own questions. Today, we sit down with entrepreneur Joe Holberg — the first person to announce a candidacy for mayor.
"This city needs to be a place where people can grow their lives and grow their businesses," Holberg said. Inc. profiles three entrepreneur candidates in Chicago's 2027 mayor's race. Holberg, founder of Spring and the first to declare, is running on affordability for working-class families.
"I was a first-generation college student. I was homeless in college. I slept in my car, and I moved to Chicago for a job and opportunity. I was a teacher on the West Side, first and foremost, and then I started a business... I realized the reason I was successful in life is because I just continued to put people first and serve them." Holberg joins CBS News Chicago to discuss his vision for budget reform and CTA safety.
"Affordability is slipping away for too many: people's rents are going up. Their pathways to homeownership are disappearing. Meanwhile the city is mismanaging its finances facing another likely budget deficit this year." Holberg joins WGN's The Point with Political Editor Tahman Bradley to discuss housing and affordability, the budget crisis, and his path to victory in the 2027 mayor's race.
"I ride the CTA every day. Like millions of Chicagoans, I've witnessed screaming commuters, and trash and human waste on floors, seats, and windows." Holberg lays out five commonsense fixes: clean the trains, modernize station gates, install smoke sensors, add data-driven security, and build a rapid-response technology layer.
"I've worked in nonprofit, I've worked at large companies and I even started a company and created jobs in Chicago. And I think that fresh perspective and that diversity of experiences will lend itself to being the next mayor." Holberg joins Chicago Tonight on budget reform, CTA safety, CPS, and City Council.
"Our campaign continues to accelerate and bring in hundreds of new supporters, contributors, and volunteers that are fed up with the political class candidates. With the recent explosion of bandwagon candidates, our campaign is connecting with people who want a problem solver – not another politician."
"We can stop poisoning our children, create jobs, and restore a basic right to every resident in this city for about $60 million in one year instead of $12 billion over 70 years. That is 200 times more affordable and lifetimes faster."
"I think there are a lot of candidates out there, either declared or speculative — they're hedging," Holberg said. "They're hedging on the people of Chicago, and that leaves me deeply uncomfortable because I believe the people of Chicago deserve somebody that's fully committed to them."
"It's time to get the meters back, regain control over our city's infrastructure and invest in ourselves." Holberg outlines how buying back the parking meter lease could turn a fiscal liability into a revenue-generating asset for Chicagoans.
"The excitement and support for our campaign is driven by frustration with the entrenched political class and a desire for a new, fresh direction for our city. People want a problem-solver – not another politician."
"It's because I'm a political outsider, and it's because I'm not tied to the shackles of the establishment that limit people's ability to think critically," Holberg said.
Watch Joe discuss his vision for Chicago, why he's running for mayor, and how everyday Chicagoans can make a difference in transforming our city.
Holberg ($500k) outraises Johnson by 33 times ($15k) and Quigley by 2.8 times ($177k).
"I'm encouraged that there are so many ordinary Chicagoans who are frustrated with the political insiders who are not solving real problems nor making the city better. It's clear people want a fresh perspective from an experienced entrepreneur, educator, and leader—not more of the status quo."
FOX 32's The Chicago Report looks ahead to the 2027 mayoral election and introduces Joe Holberg, the first officially declared candidate for Chicago Mayor.
"This is an opportunity to continue to expand and deepen the commitment to serve other people that I've done my entire life." Joe Holberg believes his status as an outsider will help him succeed where he believes others have fallen short.
Politico's Illinois Playbook covers Joe Holberg as the first declared candidate in the 2027 Chicago mayoral race, bringing an outsider perspective to City Hall.