Chicago Mayoral Election 2023

Chicago Band Wilco Announces Endorsement in Mayoral Runoff Race

Their endorsement came just before a sold-out performance at the Riviera Theatre over the weekend

OSLO, NORWAY – JUNE 11: (L-R) Niels Kline, Mikael Jorgensen, Jeff Tweedy, Glenn Kotche, John Stirratt and Pat Sansone from Wilco perform on stage at the Loaded Festival on June 11, 2022 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Per Ole Hagen/Redferns)

Chicago-based Wilco are taking their voices off the stage and into city politics, endorsing Brandon Johnson in the race for the next mayor of Chicago.

Their endorsement came just before a sold-out performance at the Riviera Theatre over the weekend.

There, a video played showing bandmembers alongside Johnson.

See a Full Chicago Mayoral Endorsement Guide Here

“We just want to let you know, this is the guy we’re voting for: Brandon Johnson," frontman Jeff Tweedy said. "Be sure to do it before April 4. Do it right now.” 

Johnson called the group's support "a real shot in the arm for our movement."

It's not the first time Wilco have waded into politics, with Tweedy among the celebrities who called for gay marriage approval in Illinois in 2013.

The endorsement is the latest in a growing list ahead of the contentious and tight runoff election race.

Also over the weekend, challenger Paul Vallas secured the endorsement of Sen. Majority Whip Dick Durbin.

Durbin, who also serves as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has served in the Senate since Jan. 2007, and appears to be the first sitting member of Congress to publicly-back Vallas’ mayoral bid.

Johnson has secured a number of endorsements from members of Congress, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

The mayoral runoff will take place on April 4, with both candidates running neck-and-neck in recent polling.

Contact Us