Former CBS 2 anchor Brad Edwards joins John Kelly's Chicago mayoral campaign as chief communications strategist
Former CBS 2 anchor Brad Edwards said Friday he is joining John Kelly's Chicago mayoral campaign as chief communications strategist.
"It's a different ballgame, but the same ballgame all at once," Edwards said about moving from journalism to political communications.
Edwards becomes part of Kelly's campaign staff as candidates for the 2027 mayoral race build their teams. Kelly's campaign will use Edwards's background in Chicago television news to handle communications during a campaign season that has already begun.
Other candidates are staffing their campaigns differently. Brandon Johnson hired progressive influencer Rachel Cohen to lead communications at City Hall for his re-election bid. Alexi Giannoulias has assembled veteran political advisers, including campaign spokesperson Jordan Abudayyee, who previously served as Gov. JB Pritzker's spokesperson. Rep. Mike Quigley is leaning on longtime ally and former Chicago Ald. Tom Tunney, who chairs his mayoral campaign committee.
The campaigns are also introducing themselves to voters in different ways. Johnson announced his re-election campaign with a social media reel of himself dancing. Giannoulias has placed ads on more traditional airwaves.
A study released by the Institute for the Public Good ranked the top five candidates by money raised. Alexi Giannoulias leads with $22.2 million, followed by Brandon Johnson with $3.5 million, John Kelly with $2.5 million, Susana Mendoza with $2.3 million and Joe Holberg with $1.2 million.
The totals include money raised since the 2023 mayoral runoff, not only contributions for the 2027 race. Some campaigns will have more resources than others as they build staff, buy advertising and try to reach voters over the next five months.
Edwards' arrival gives Kelly's campaign a communications leader with a long background in Chicago television news. The job places Edwards inside Kelly's campaign operation rather than behind the anchor desk ahead of the 2027 election.
