U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley confirmed rumors that have been circulating since 2011: He’s running for Chicago mayor. 

The nine-term congressman, who represents Chicago’s North Side and some of the city’s western suburbs, responded, “I am,” when asked if he was going to run for mayor in 2027 by WGN Radio host John Williams. 

But first, Quigley said he’s focused on the upcoming March primary for his current seat representing Illinois’ 5th Congressional District. 

“We’ll have formal announcements and talk about that after the March primary,” the Democrat said of the mayor’s race. “I’ve filed for reelection. I’ve got a year to serve. The primary for mayor is in 2027. …what I’m trying to do is show proper respect for the March 17 primary. So, I don’t want the voters to get too far ahead of ourselves.  

“You asked me a question; I wanted to answer honestly. I’m not equivocating, I’m just prioritizing the here and now, and that is the issues of the day and the primary in March.”