Mike Quigley Isn't Thinking About His District, Only His Own Political Future

Quigley confirmed last week that he will be running for Mayor of Chicago

Rumors that Mike Quigley was running for mayor of Chicago have been one of the worst-kept secrets in local politics. Last week, those rumors became official when Quigley confirmed to WGN Radio that he plans to run for mayor in 2027.

That raises an obvious question: does he remember that he’s up for reelection to Congress this year—on March 17?

Seeking a different office while using your current one to fundraise, maintain clout, and boost your profile—while effectively ignoring your constituents—is exactly what people hate about the Democratic Party. It’s cynical. It’s self-serving. And voters are sick of it.

But that’s just one of the problems with Congressman Quigley.

Beyond the fact that he has repeatedly voted to fund Israel’s genocide in Gaza, or that he is deeply entangled with defense contractors, Wall Street, and corporate donors, the core issue is this: Mike Quigley does not prioritize his constituents. He prioritizes his own political future.

And he’s not unique. Any elected official who takes money from corporations, lobbyists, or foreign governments will always place career preservation above the needs of the people they represent. That’s why getting money out of politics isn’t a slogan—it’s a necessity.

But I digress.

Last week’s announcement makes one thing abundantly clear: Mike Quigley is not thinking about his district. He’s not thinking about the fact that masked federal agents are disappearing people, brutalizing communities, and killing U.S. citizens with virtually zero accountability—while Congress does nothing. He’s not thinking about the erosion of civil liberties or the rise of authoritarianism.

He’s thinking about his next job.

This isn’t even the first time he’s flirted with a mayoral run. Similar rumors circulated in 2019 and again in 2023. In 2023, Quigley publicly cited his age and family as reasons not to run. So the obvious question is: how is a 67-year-old man—who has shown no ability or willingness to stand up to Donald Trump while serving in Congress—somehow a better candidate now than he was at 63?

If Mike Quigley wants to run for mayor of Chicago, fine. Ambition isn’t a crime. But then he needs to do the honest thing and end his re-election bid for the 5th District’s congressional seat.

Careerist, centrist, empty-suit Democrats like Mike Quigley have already shown us who they are. They talk about norms while ICE terrorizes communities. They issue statements while people are disappeared. They fund wars abroad while refusing to fight fascism at home. And now, while Trumpism tightens its grip, Quigley wants to run a mayoral campaign in the third-largest city in the country—on top of holding a congressional seat he barely defends.

How exactly is he supposed to fight Trump while running a years-long campaign for mayor? He couldn’t—or wouldn’t—fight Trump when he wasn’t running for another office.

This is too fragile a moment in our country’s history for part-time members of Congress. We don’t need politicians hedging their bets. We need representatives who are fully committed to the fight—not fully committed to extending their political careers.

So yes, Mike—run for mayor.

But for the sake of this district, and for the sake of the country, drop out of the congressional race. The people here deserve leadership that will fight for universal healthcare, confront the housing crisis, and stand unequivocally against genocide and authoritarianism—things you’ve failed to deliver during your time in office.

The people of this district deserve better than someone who straddles the middle and refuses to take a stand.

Step aside. It’s time for new leadership.