CHICAGO — Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has announced she will not be running for reelection in 2026.

Mendoza has been the state’s comptroller since 2016, overseeing the state’s finances while also holding various other positions, including city clerk. She has spent 24 years in public service.

The announcement, held at Los Comales in Little Village, comes ahead of the Cook County Democratic Party slating meeting later this week.

“It’s where I got my political start, in this exact spot that I first announced my campaign for state representative 26 years ago,” Mendoza said, becoming visibly emotional.

Mendoza discussed some of her accomplishments in the position of comptroller on Wednesday, which she says include retiring a multi-billion-dollar bill backlog, paying off federal loans ahead of schedule, and rebuilding the state’s rainy day fund. But she says she is not done when it comes to public service, refusing to rule out a second mayoral bid in Chicago.

“I’m leaving the door open,” she said. “I’m definitely going to take some time to figure out what that next big, huge challenge is for me.”

But, she also spoke on a loss in 2019 when she first ran for mayor. Mendoza finished fifth in the then-crowded contest, with 9 percent of the vote. 

“You learn more in this line of work when you fail than when you win every time,” Mendoza said. “It was humbling. It was wising, but it made me stronger and I’m actually very appreciative to have had that opportunity.”

Mendoza has been a fierce critic of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the previous administration under former city Mayor Lori Lightfoot. 

“We’ve had two very unsuccessful mayors in a row,” Mendoza said. “Chicagoans deserve better.”

No word on when Mendoza might declare what’s next, but the comptroller’s announcement comes ahead of a Cook County Democrats gathering later in the week to slate candidates for the 2026 primaries. If and when she does make her decision about what’s next, Mendoza said, she’ll be in it to win it.   

Regarding a potential mayoral run in 2027, Mendoza could face several other high-profile candidates, including Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Alderman Bill Conway, and City Clerk Anna Valencia.