2023 Mayoral Elections
Our 2023 election research is ongoing. Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page to stay tuned for updates.
Our data shows approximately 4,800 cites have mayoral elections in 2023
Critical local elections are taking place in 2023, including thousands of mayoral elections that have profound impact on our government.
Turnout in mayoral elections is usually low, but mayors and their decisions affect day-to-day life more than citizens realize. Mayors play a key role in handling concerns such as public safety, street and water safety, public transportation, abandoned or hazardous housing issues, police training, and public appearances surrounding events like protests.
Thousands of mayoral elections = massive potential.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s mayoral elections to remain informed and brush up on the ballot.
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10 significant big city mayoral elections
Outlined below are ten significant mayoral elections across the US. No matter the size of the city, your vote matters in your local elections.
Chicago, IL
Election Date: February 28, 2023
Candidates: Lori Lightfoot (incumbent), Kam Buckner, Jesús ‘Chuy’ García, Ja’Mal Green, Brandon Johnson, Sophia King, Roderick Sawyer, Paul Vallas, Willie Wilson
Key Issues: 70% of polls rated crime and public safety as the #1 or #2 issue, with no other issue coming close
San Antonio, TX
Election Date: May 6, 2023
Candidates: Filing period ends 2/17/23; incumbent mayor Ron Nirenberg plans to seek a fourth and final term
Key Issues: Recent redistricting (though partisan makeup of districts did not change much), different partisanship preferences at local and federal elections, City Council elections at the same time
Dallas, TX
Election Date: May 6, 2023
Candidates: Filing period ends 2/17/23; Eric Johnson (incumbent, seeking second term), Kendal Richardson
Key Issues: Recent redistricting, two (of 14) council members have reached term limits
Jacksonville, FL
Election Date: March 21, 2023 (First Election); May 16, 2023 (General Election)
Candidates: Omega Allen, LeAnna Gutierrez Cumber, Daniel Davis, Donna Keegan, Al Ferraro, Audrey Gibson, Brian Griffin, Frank Keasler; incumbent mayor Lenny Curry is term-limited
Key Issues: Education, taxes (especially gas and sales tax), infrastructure, crime, business development, conservation (St. John’s River)
Fort Worth, TX
Election Date: May 6, 2023
Candidates: Filing period ends 2/17/23; Christopher Rector, Ken Bowens Jr, Alyson Kennedy, Jennifer Castillo; incumbent mayor Mattie Parker also likely to run
Key Issues: Education, infrastructure (flood control and transportation), expansion of higher education in Fort Worth area, crime, homelessness, promoting Fort Worth as a major city to draw businesses and residents
Houston, TX
Election Date: November 7, 2023
Candidates: John Whitmire, Chris Hollins, Amanda Edwards, Robin Williams, Lee Kaplan; incumbent mayor Sylvester Turner is term-limited
Key Issues: Infrastructure (aftermath of Hurrican Harvey), infrastructure (public transport, alternative energy, flooding, congestion, recycling), homelessness, crime/criminal justice
Columbus, OH
Election Date: November 7, 2023
Candidates: Andrew J Ginther (incumbent), Joe Motil, Carrie J Griffin
Key Issues: Safety, housing affordability
Denver, CO
Election Date: April 4, 2023
Candidates: Marcus Giavanni, Ken Simpson, Jesse Lashawn Parris, Ean Tafoya, Andy Rougeot, Alex Cowans, Kelly Brough, Debbie Ortega, Thomas Wolf, Leslie Herod, Aurelio Martinez, Lisa Calderón, Chris Hansen, James Walsh, Paul Noel Fiorino, Trinidad Rodriguez, Mike Johnston, Sylvia Herring, Al Gardner, Robert Treta, Abass Yaya Bamba, Renate Behrens, Kwame Spearman, Sean Gallegos; incumbent mayor Michael Hancock is term-limited
Key Issues: Housing affordability, homelessness, crime, revitalization downtown
Nashville, TN
Election Date: August 3, 2023
Candidates: Sharon Hurt, Freddie O’Connell, Matt Wiltshire; incumbent mayor John Cooper not seeking re-election
Key Issues: Revitalization and investment in different areas of the city, transit infrastructure, affordable housing, homelessness
Tuscon, AZ
Election Date: November 7, 2023
Candidates: Regina Romero (incumbent), Francis Saitta, Ed Ackerley, Zach Yentzer
Key Issues: Public safety, infrastructure, housing, racial and socioeconomic inequities, climate concerns
Other mayoral elections where there are ineligible or retiring incumbents
Evansville, Indiana: Incumbent Republican Lloyd Winnecke is retiring
Hartford, Connecticut: Incumbent Democrat Luke Bronin is retiring
Houston, Texas: Incumbent Democrat Sylvester Turner is ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits
Jacksonville, Florida: Incumbent Republican Lenny Curry is ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits
Memphis, Tennessee: Incumbent Democrat Jim Strickland is ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Incumbent Democrat Jim Kenney is ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits
Portland, Maine: Incumbent Democrat Kate Snyder is retiring