Chicago mayor is Democratic convention’s most unpopular host in 40 years
New polling on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson showed the lowest approval rating for a mayor hosting the Democratic National Convention in 40 years.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is the least popular host mayor of the Democratic National Convention in 40 years, with an approval rating of just 27%.
No host mayor has polled lower than Johnson in four decades.
The next closest was former New York City Mayor David Dinkins in 1992 with 29% of his constituents approving of his leadership. Chicago’s last DNC in 1996 was hosted by former Mayor Richard M. Daley, whose approval rating was 66%.
Johnson’s low favorability is particularly striking given how early he is into his administration. Low approval ratings are more common when someone is on their way out of office.
His low rating came from voters whose top concern was crime, then recent migrants, high taxes and city governance. The poll in early August of 454 voters was conducted for the Illinois Policy Institute by M3 Strategies
Johnson landed in office largely because of ties to his former employer, the Chicago Teachers Union. CTU helped Johnson win his first public office as Cook County Commissioner and bankrolled his campaign for the mayor’s office.
Thanks to CTU, Johnson has gone from holding no public office to being mayor of the nation’s third-largest city in only six years.
His close alignment with CTU has been a double-edged sword, earning him support among union members but alienating a broader base of the city's residents. The poll showed 55% would be less likely to vote for someone who took campaign cash from CTU.
Taxpayers have reason to be concerned about Johnson’s allegiance to CTU. The union has made over 700 new contract demands Chicago Public Schools administrators have projected will create a $4 billion deficit by 2029 if just 52 of the demands are met.
Johnson spoke Aug. 19 as the convention opened. While he was applauded by delegates, chances are Chicagoans have a few Bronx cheers for Johnson.