Neal Runs For Mayor Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/neal-runs-for-mayor Go behind the scenes of Neal Sáles-Griffin's quest to become mayor of Chicago. Follow along as a first-time candidate navigates the byzantine world of Chicago politics, and hear from Neal's colleagues, friends, family—and Neal himself. © 2025 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 62dae9f4-9051-5bea-b0c1-8bd0ca30bc6e no Neal Runs For Mayor - Teaser en Wed, 23 Jul 2025 09:34:13 -0500 Wed, 23 Jul 2025 09:37:21 -0500 http://nealrunsformayor.com https://img.transistor.fm/OhD3glxR7BAf_jcLA2jgTxklUoe0jEw9AIvcOAxEvmI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:3000/h:3000/q:60/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQzLzE1MjIxOTk2/NDYtYXJ0d29yay5q/cGc.jpg Neal Runs For Mayor http://nealrunsformayor.com episodic Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Go behind the scenes of Neal Sáles-Griffin's quest to become mayor of Chicago. Follow along as a first-time candidate navigates the byzantine world of Chicago politics, and hear from Neal's colleagues, friends, family—and Neal himself. Go behind the scenes of Neal Sáles-Griffin's quest to become mayor of Chicago. chicago, politics Wailin Wong No No BONUS: Neal Did Things Differently 21 21 BONUS: Neal Did Things Differently bonus 59aec314-6c15-4210-9e66-01114504c3f9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/df8e086f In the last of our election post-mortem bonuses, we hear from a data scientist, a filmmaker, and Neal's mom about the work they did on the campaign and what surprised them about the experience.

]]> In the last of our election post-mortem bonuses, we hear from a data scientist, a filmmaker, and Neal's mom about the work they did on the campaign and what surprised them about the experience.

]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2019 06:45:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 692 One last look back at the campaign, from some of the people who helped with it. One last look back at the campaign, from some of the people who helped with it. chicago, politics No BONUS: Kina Collins on Political Courage BONUS: Kina Collins on Political Courage bonus d28b8ed6-ba15-4032-8e47-12326ccfecce https://share.transistor.fm/s/830a44a0 Kina Collins is a Chicago activist who's focused much of her work on gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform. In this bonus episode, she reflects on young voters' disenchantment with the citywide election, the tumultuous events that led up to it, and the work that continues. 

]]> Kina Collins is a Chicago activist who's focused much of her work on gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform. In this bonus episode, she reflects on young voters' disenchantment with the citywide election, the tumultuous events that led up to it, and the work that continues. 

]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2019 06:45:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 809 A conversation with activist Kina Collins A conversation with activist Kina Collins chicago, politics No BONUS: Paul Vallas on endorsements BONUS: Paul Vallas on endorsements bonus b8692ab9-ed10-489c-be5f-bea5e713c248 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3911530a Wailin sits down with former mayoral candidate and friend of Neal, Paul Vallas, to discuss his public support of Lori Lightfoot for the April 2 run-off and pull back the curtain on the endorsement process.

]]> Wailin sits down with former mayoral candidate and friend of Neal, Paul Vallas, to discuss his public support of Lori Lightfoot for the April 2 run-off and pull back the curtain on the endorsement process.

]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2019 07:00:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 547 A short conversation with former mayoral candidate Paul Vallas. A short conversation with former mayoral candidate Paul Vallas. chicago, politics No What's Next 20 20 What's Next full 68526837-ae24-4ab7-8cbf-c10e37e4d5b5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/18b4d46b As Chicago awaits the mayoral run-off on April 2, Neal isn't wasting any time in getting to work. He drops by to share his plans for what he's working on next. Plus he invites two friends—fellow candidate Paul Vallas and activist Kina Collins—to the studio to reflect on Neal's campaign and his next chapter.

Show Notes

]]> As Chicago awaits the mayoral run-off on April 2, Neal isn't wasting any time in getting to work. He drops by to share his plans for what he's working on next. Plus he invites two friends—fellow candidate Paul Vallas and activist Kina Collins—to the studio to reflect on Neal's campaign and his next chapter.

Show Notes

]]> Thu, 21 Mar 2019 06:40:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1244 The campaign is over, but the work has just gotten underway. The campaign is over, but the work has just gotten underway. chicago, politics, local government No Election Night 19 19 Election Night full 087b3f7f-5cf6-45c6-820b-e72af65ec32b https://share.transistor.fm/s/9b8df5ec On February 26, Neal hosted friends and family for a party to say thank you and to watch the election returns. There was charcuterie, laughter, a few tears, and a lot of love. Not too shabby for a candidate who was never expected to get on the ballot. The first election may be over (Chicago is headed to a run-off in April), but the work is just beginning.

Show Notes


]]> On February 26, Neal hosted friends and family for a party to say thank you and to watch the election returns. There was charcuterie, laughter, a few tears, and a lot of love. Not too shabby for a candidate who was never expected to get on the ballot. The first election may be over (Chicago is headed to a run-off in April), but the work is just beginning.

Show Notes


]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2019 06:45:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 617 "This is just the beginning of something pretty amazing." "This is just the beginning of something pretty amazing." chicago, politics, local government, elections No Show Your Work 18 18 Show Your Work full 44662061-34d2-400f-8b0b-5aacabd0c8e3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/124e857a We've arrived at the final week for Neal, the longshot candidate who was the 14th and final mayoral hopeful to make it onto the ballot for this pivotal Chicago election. Neal and campaign manager Claire Feinberg talk about the projects they're pushing forward on that aren't just integral to the campaign, but are also laying a foundation for the work he wants to carry on past the February 26 election.

Show Notes

]]> We've arrived at the final week for Neal, the longshot candidate who was the 14th and final mayoral hopeful to make it onto the ballot for this pivotal Chicago election. Neal and campaign manager Claire Feinberg talk about the projects they're pushing forward on that aren't just integral to the campaign, but are also laying a foundation for the work he wants to carry on past the February 26 election.

Show Notes

]]> Thu, 21 Feb 2019 06:45:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1293 It's go time! The election is just a few days away. It's go time! The election is just a few days away. chicago, politics, local elections, government No A Receipt for Your Taxes 17 17 A Receipt for Your Taxes full 52c8e94d-89f9-4cdc-91ff-84fb3be232c0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2c014c72 Neal is getting ready to unveil another big project—a visual explainer for how the Chicago budget works and where that $22 billion ends up. He's also starting to make the rounds at mayoral candidate forums and media interviews, making public his idea to give Chicagoans a receipt for their taxes.

Show Notes

]]> Neal is getting ready to unveil another big project—a visual explainer for how the Chicago budget works and where that $22 billion ends up. He's also starting to make the rounds at mayoral candidate forums and media interviews, making public his idea to give Chicagoans a receipt for their taxes.

Show Notes

]]> Thu, 14 Feb 2019 06:45:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1185 Neal's been following the money. Neal's been following the money. chicago, politics, elections, local government No Neal Sáles-Griffin Has A Cold 16 16 Neal Sáles-Griffin Has A Cold full 185ef799-dbac-4c6f-a86c-a78863de7a63 https://share.transistor.fm/s/50696da7 Campaign tech wizard and behind-the-scenes fixer Raghu Betina sits down to talk about an app he's building that started as an internal tool for the campaign but is being turned into a publicly available voters guide. It's one of several projects that the campaign is working to unveil in the final weeks before the election. Neal is battling a cold but stops by to give a preview of what else is to come.

Show Notes


]]> Campaign tech wizard and behind-the-scenes fixer Raghu Betina sits down to talk about an app he's building that started as an internal tool for the campaign but is being turned into a publicly available voters guide. It's one of several projects that the campaign is working to unveil in the final weeks before the election. Neal is battling a cold but stops by to give a preview of what else is to come.

Show Notes


]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2019 06:45:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1535 Neal is under the weather, but the work continues. Neal is under the weather, but the work continues. chicago, politics, elections, local government No Slingshot 15 15 Slingshot full 3b0bc76b-97ae-4ed1-92e0-ac7c22cff44e https://share.transistor.fm/s/07d491c6 The Chicago mayoral ballot has been set at 14 candidates, with Neal as the last name added. He now has just four weeks to get out the vote. Hear from Claire Feinberg, who's stepped up as campaign manager, about how the team is embracing constraints and working on its own timeline, rather than racing to play catch-up. Neal pops in at the end for a nerdy cameo!

Show Notes

]]> The Chicago mayoral ballot has been set at 14 candidates, with Neal as the last name added. He now has just four weeks to get out the vote. Hear from Claire Feinberg, who's stepped up as campaign manager, about how the team is embracing constraints and working on its own timeline, rather than racing to play catch-up. Neal pops in at the end for a nerdy cameo!

Show Notes

]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2019 06:45:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1396 It's a month until the election and Neal just got on the ballot. What now? It's a month until the election and Neal just got on the ballot. What now? chicago, politics, local government, elections No The Neal Appeal 14 14 The Neal Appeal bonus c6384a99-b156-44ec-80a8-e1e0a5e2d4cb https://share.transistor.fm/s/29489f99 We're here at the end of all things: Neal's final hearing at the Board of Elections. And in a twist that no one on his team saw coming, he lands a spot on the ballot for Chicago mayor. Hear how it all went down that morning.

Show Notes

]]> We're here at the end of all things: Neal's final hearing at the Board of Elections. And in a twist that no one on his team saw coming, he lands a spot on the ballot for Chicago mayor. Hear how it all went down that morning.

Show Notes

]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2019 06:40:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 631 Neal gets on the ballot! Neal gets on the ballot! chicago, politics, elections, local government No A Motion at the Eleventh Hour 13 13 A Motion at the Eleventh Hour bonus fbd9f276-7776-4cc7-9699-c405ad1087a7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1c05ebf9 Go inside the Board of Elections hearing room on Thursday, January 17 as Neal makes his case (again) to get on the ballot. Come for the emotional roller coaster, stay for the Dragon Ball Z references!

Show Notes

]]> Go inside the Board of Elections hearing room on Thursday, January 17 as Neal makes his case (again) to get on the ballot. Come for the emotional roller coaster, stay for the Dragon Ball Z references!

Show Notes

]]> Tue, 22 Jan 2019 00:05:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 792 Neal gets a last-minute reprieve—and a stunning reversal—at the Board of Elections. Neal gets a last-minute reprieve—and a stunning reversal—at the Board of Elections. chicago, politics, local government, campaign Yes The Sky Would Have To Open Up 12 12 The Sky Would Have To Open Up full 74389983-a4b3-45ff-8ee5-d7655f75ea20 https://share.transistor.fm/s/75b514fb Today—Thursday, January 17—is the day of Neal's final hearing at the board of elections to determine whether he'll get on the ballot. When we last left off, he was about 2,400 signatures short and waiting to hear an official ruling from a handwriting expert on how many disputed signatures would be converted to his favor. Listen to this episode to find out that result and hear about the unprecedented digital effort Neal undertook in his last-ditch effort to overcome Willie Wilson's petition challenge.

]]> Today—Thursday, January 17—is the day of Neal's final hearing at the board of elections to determine whether he'll get on the ballot. When we last left off, he was about 2,400 signatures short and waiting to hear an official ruling from a handwriting expert on how many disputed signatures would be converted to his favor. Listen to this episode to find out that result and hear about the unprecedented digital effort Neal undertook in his last-ditch effort to overcome Willie Wilson's petition challenge.

]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2019 06:45:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1167 Neal has one last hearing at the board of elections to see if he'll get on the ballot. Where does he stand? Neal has one last hearing at the board of elections to see if he'll get on the ballot. Where does he stand? chicago, politics, elections, local government No The Final Sprint? 11 11 The Final Sprint? full 5dd807b5-f833-4ec4-80ff-3503183ef409 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7fce8201 Neal and his team spent long days at the board of elections, defending their 18,000 signatures from a ballot challenge mounted by candidate Willie Wilson. Now the future of Neal's candidacy depends on a ruling from a handwriting expert and whether Neal can track down—in person—a few hundred to a couple thousand Chicagoans who signed his petitions. And if that's not enough stress, Neal and Wailin get into a friendly argument about transparency and why he didn't release his tax returns to the Chicago Tribune.

Show Notes

]]> Neal and his team spent long days at the board of elections, defending their 18,000 signatures from a ballot challenge mounted by candidate Willie Wilson. Now the future of Neal's candidacy depends on a ruling from a handwriting expert and whether Neal can track down—in person—a few hundred to a couple thousand Chicagoans who signed his petitions. And if that's not enough stress, Neal and Wailin get into a friendly argument about transparency and why he didn't release his tax returns to the Chicago Tribune.

Show Notes

]]> Thu, 03 Jan 2019 06:45:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1753 Neal's finished the first round of defending his signatures. But his ballot challenge isn't over yet. Find out what's next. Neal's finished the first round of defending his signatures. But his ballot challenge isn't over yet. Find out what's next. chicago, politics, elections, local government, transparency No A Cesspool for Human Error 10 10 A Cesspool for Human Error full ae9626b8-21d7-46eb-b78e-78024bf19dff https://share.transistor.fm/s/25fe1d81 Neal filed over 18,000 signatures to get on the ballot, but they were challenged by mayoral candidate Willie Wilson. Now Neal and a team of volunteers have to defend each challenged signature before the board of elections, a time-consuming and difficult process. Hear from Neal and two of his volunteers, including a Chicago high school student, on what it's like to analyze handwriting and stay on the good side of records examiners.

Show Notes

  • Our previous episode, "Neal Files For Mayor," covered what it was like to turn in the petition sheets (0:41)
  • Willie Wilson had talked previously about his plans to challenge fellow black mayoral candidates' petitions, and in November had called for them to "get out of the way" (0:47)
  • Rickey Hendon's Wikipedia page (0:55)
  • Rickey Hendon's Facebook Live video (1:03)


]]> Neal filed over 18,000 signatures to get on the ballot, but they were challenged by mayoral candidate Willie Wilson. Now Neal and a team of volunteers have to defend each challenged signature before the board of elections, a time-consuming and difficult process. Hear from Neal and two of his volunteers, including a Chicago high school student, on what it's like to analyze handwriting and stay on the good side of records examiners.

Show Notes

  • Our previous episode, "Neal Files For Mayor," covered what it was like to turn in the petition sheets (0:41)
  • Willie Wilson had talked previously about his plans to challenge fellow black mayoral candidates' petitions, and in November had called for them to "get out of the way" (0:47)
  • Rickey Hendon's Wikipedia page (0:55)
  • Rickey Hendon's Facebook Live video (1:03)


]]> Thu, 20 Dec 2018 06:45:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1218 Neal filed his signatures to get on the ballot. Now he has to defend them. Neal filed his signatures to get on the ballot. Now he has to defend them. chicago, politics, local government, elections No Neal Files For Mayor 9 9 Neal Files For Mayor full 5f29c28b-a0ae-481f-9463-d3b64e4d3413 https://share.transistor.fm/s/53feefcb Neal has filed his signatures to be an official candidate for Chicago mayor in 2019. Now it's time to tackle petition challenges from other candidates trying to keep him off the ballot.

Show Notes

  • To learn more about signature collection, listen to our episode about the process (1:19)
  • Neal's "Leaders of the Future" hoodie had this design from local brand Leaders 1354 (4:40)
  • Sam Letscher on Twitter (4:51)
  • Neal talked about Chance the Rapper and Kanye West's support for Amara Enyia in a previous episode (8:10)
  • A 2014 news story about Enyia withdrawing from the mayoral race (8:16)
  • Steve James is probably best known for the documentary Hoop Dreams (8:44)
  • Troy Laraviere dropped out of the mayoral race in mid November (13:44)
  • Willie Wilson's Wikipedia page (14:15)
  • Candidate Ja'Mal Green held a press conference to decry the petition process and Willie Wilson's challenges (19:45)
]]> Neal has filed his signatures to be an official candidate for Chicago mayor in 2019. Now it's time to tackle petition challenges from other candidates trying to keep him off the ballot.

Show Notes

  • To learn more about signature collection, listen to our episode about the process (1:19)
  • Neal's "Leaders of the Future" hoodie had this design from local brand Leaders 1354 (4:40)
  • Sam Letscher on Twitter (4:51)
  • Neal talked about Chance the Rapper and Kanye West's support for Amara Enyia in a previous episode (8:10)
  • A 2014 news story about Enyia withdrawing from the mayoral race (8:16)
  • Steve James is probably best known for the documentary Hoop Dreams (8:44)
  • Troy Laraviere dropped out of the mayoral race in mid November (13:44)
  • Willie Wilson's Wikipedia page (14:15)
  • Candidate Ja'Mal Green held a press conference to decry the petition process and Willie Wilson's challenges (19:45)
]]> Thu, 06 Dec 2018 06:40:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1661 Neal files his petition signatures, but he's not on the ballot quite yet. Neal files his petition signatures, but he's not on the ballot quite yet. chicago, politics, local government, elections No Chance and Kanye 8 8 Chance and Kanye full 8eb59907-992c-47e1-b13e-d60ac3ad75a9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5859cb86 Happy Thanksgiving! Today we have a short conversation between Neal and Wailin that didn't fit into our previous episodes. They discuss how progressive candidate Amara Enyia scored high-profile endorsements from Chance the Rapper and Kanye West, whose teams had also contacted Neal.

Show Notes

]]> Happy Thanksgiving! Today we have a short conversation between Neal and Wailin that didn't fit into our previous episodes. They discuss how progressive candidate Amara Enyia scored high-profile endorsements from Chance the Rapper and Kanye West, whose teams had also contacted Neal.

Show Notes

]]> Thu, 22 Nov 2018 06:40:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 623 Neal reacts to Chance the Rapper and Kanye West endorsing a different candidate in the mayoral race. Neal reacts to Chance the Rapper and Kanye West endorsing a different candidate in the mayoral race. chicago, politics, local government, election No Midterms, Money, and Progress 7 7 Midterms, Money, and Progress full 8682c4f6-e449-43e5-92c8-374be582bc34 https://share.transistor.fm/s/dc1a1ff3 Neal takes a short pause from signature collection to discuss what he noticed around voter turnout and engagement on midterm election day. He also shares a significant change in strategy around incentivizing volunteers as the process to get on the mayoral ballot reaches its critical final weeks.

Show Notes

]]> Neal takes a short pause from signature collection to discuss what he noticed around voter turnout and engagement on midterm election day. He also shares a significant change in strategy around incentivizing volunteers as the process to get on the mayoral ballot reaches its critical final weeks.

Show Notes

]]> Thu, 08 Nov 2018 06:45:00 -0600 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1820 Neal reflects on the midterms and shares how his strategy for gathering signatures has evolved in the last two weeks. Neal reflects on the midterms and shares how his strategy for gathering signatures has evolved in the last two weeks. chicago, politics, midterms, elections, government No Signature Moves 6 6 Signature Moves full 5dcbb2cb-d82e-405e-b563-30a55a57de37 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fa015d46 Every candidate for Chicago mayor needs 12,500 valid signatures to get onto the ballot. That’s already a huge undertaking before you even get to the potential legal challenges, ballot order lottery, and other shenanigans that are part of this process. In this episode, we dive into the messy details of what it takes to even get on the ballot in Chicago and how Neal is taking on the challenge.

Show Notes


]]> Every candidate for Chicago mayor needs 12,500 valid signatures to get onto the ballot. That’s already a huge undertaking before you even get to the potential legal challenges, ballot order lottery, and other shenanigans that are part of this process. In this episode, we dive into the messy details of what it takes to even get on the ballot in Chicago and how Neal is taking on the challenge.

Show Notes


]]> Thu, 25 Oct 2018 06:40:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1373 Neal needs 12,500 signatures to get onto the ballot. How’s he going to get there? Neal needs 12,500 signatures to get onto the ballot. How’s he going to get there? chicago, politics, elections, voting, local government No Invent the Future 5 5 Invent the Future full 2a7690a5-66a3-48f6-853e-4ad20a227dbf https://share.transistor.fm/s/d852768c This is the story of how Neal decided to run for mayor of Chicago, with cameos from a famous computer scientist, Neal’s parents, and others who encouraged him to seek the city’s highest public office.

Show Notes

]]> This is the story of how Neal decided to run for mayor of Chicago, with cameos from a famous computer scientist, Neal’s parents, and others who encouraged him to seek the city’s highest public office.

Show Notes

]]> Thu, 11 Oct 2018 06:45:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1224 Neal had been hearing from different people for years that he should run for mayor. In the summer of 2017, he decided to go for it. Neal had been hearing from different people for years that he should run for mayor. In the summer of 2017, he decided to go for it. chicago, politics, local government, public service No BONUS - The Van Dyke Verdict 4 4 BONUS - The Van Dyke Verdict bonus d6549e31-5633-471c-a2b4-d08e831e025e https://share.transistor.fm/s/57fc1d2f Neal sits down with Shaun to share his reaction to the October 5 guilty verdict in the Jason Van Dyke case. The Chicago police officer was convicted of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery in the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald. It marked the first time in almost five decades that a city police officer was convicted of murder in an on-duty shooting. Neal talks about the impact that the McDonald case had on its decision to run for office and looks ahead to the work that still needs to be done in public safety and police accountability.

Show Notes

]]> Neal sits down with Shaun to share his reaction to the October 5 guilty verdict in the Jason Van Dyke case. The Chicago police officer was convicted of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery in the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald. It marked the first time in almost five decades that a city police officer was convicted of murder in an on-duty shooting. Neal talks about the impact that the McDonald case had on its decision to run for office and looks ahead to the work that still needs to be done in public safety and police accountability.

Show Notes

]]> Wed, 10 Oct 2018 15:40:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1247 Neal offers his thoughts on Jason Van Dyke's conviction and his role in shaping the city's future after the case. Neal offers his thoughts on Jason Van Dyke's conviction and his role in shaping the city's future after the case. chicago, politics, police reform, local government No Launch 3 3 Launch full 67154c87-c689-4425-913e-b9ed25107202 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e462e8b7 The plan for Neal's campaign launch event was to give remarks for around 10 minutes and then take questions. But nerves took over and 85 long minutes later, it was clear that something had gone wrong. In this episode, we unpack what happened in the launch event and what Neal learned from the experience.

Show Notes

  • Chicago Tribune reporter Bill Ruthhart's tweets (2:46)
  • Ruthhart's story about Neal's campaign, published a day before the launch event (2:53)
]]> The plan for Neal's campaign launch event was to give remarks for around 10 minutes and then take questions. But nerves took over and 85 long minutes later, it was clear that something had gone wrong. In this episode, we unpack what happened in the launch event and what Neal learned from the experience.

Show Notes

  • Chicago Tribune reporter Bill Ruthhart's tweets (2:46)
  • Ruthhart's story about Neal's campaign, published a day before the launch event (2:53)
]]> Thu, 27 Sep 2018 06:30:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1711 Neal officially launches his mayoral campaign…and it doesn't quite go as expected. Neal officially launches his mayoral campaign…and it doesn't quite go as expected. local government, politics, Chicago, elections No BONUS: The Rahm Bombshell 2 2 BONUS: The Rahm Bombshell bonus fd590a73-ee2c-4b41-bccd-22d96d47b089 https://share.transistor.fm/s/805ca10a On September 4, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel unexpectedly announced he was not going to run for a third term. Not too long before that, Rahm and Neal met one-on-one for over an hour. What did they talk about, and what does Neal's campaign look like now that the race's incumbent and most well-funded candidate has dropped out? Neal stops by the studio to discuss.

Show Notes

  • Rahm's announcement coincided with the start of the murder trial of Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, who shot teenager Laquan McDonald in 2014. Follow the Chicago Tribune's updates on the trial. (4:07)



  • Bill Daley's father and brother have served as mayor of Chicago. He used to be Commerce Secretary and White House Chief of Staff, a position he took over from Rahm. Bill Daley has announced he's running for mayor. (4:42)


  • Kurt Summers is Chicago city treasurer. As of this episode, he has not announced a mayoral bid. (4:44)


  • Neal released this video after Rahm's announcement. (5:45)


  • In August, a 15-year-old boy was killed and a 14-year-old boy was injured during a shooting at a Chicago basketball tournament. (7:56)


  • Toni Preckwinkle is the president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and expected to announce a run for mayor. (10:57)



  • Ja'Mal Green is a local activist. Amara Enyia is the director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce and has run for mayor before. (11:23)




]]> On September 4, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel unexpectedly announced he was not going to run for a third term. Not too long before that, Rahm and Neal met one-on-one for over an hour. What did they talk about, and what does Neal's campaign look like now that the race's incumbent and most well-funded candidate has dropped out? Neal stops by the studio to discuss.

Show Notes

  • Rahm's announcement coincided with the start of the murder trial of Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, who shot teenager Laquan McDonald in 2014. Follow the Chicago Tribune's updates on the trial. (4:07)



  • Bill Daley's father and brother have served as mayor of Chicago. He used to be Commerce Secretary and White House Chief of Staff, a position he took over from Rahm. Bill Daley has announced he's running for mayor. (4:42)


  • Kurt Summers is Chicago city treasurer. As of this episode, he has not announced a mayoral bid. (4:44)


  • Neal released this video after Rahm's announcement. (5:45)


  • In August, a 15-year-old boy was killed and a 14-year-old boy was injured during a shooting at a Chicago basketball tournament. (7:56)


  • Toni Preckwinkle is the president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and expected to announce a run for mayor. (10:57)



  • Ja'Mal Green is a local activist. Amara Enyia is the director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce and has run for mayor before. (11:23)




]]> Thu, 20 Sep 2018 08:15:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1017 Neal sits down with Wailin and Shaun to process the surprise announcement that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will not be running for reelection. Neal sits down with Wailin and Shaun to process the surprise announcement that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will not be running for reelection. Chicago, politics, elections, government No Nobody Nobody Sent 1 1 Nobody Nobody Sent full 459c1ee3-4a71-48f4-a661-32b9be5b0ef8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e06ddf18 We're Shaun and Wailin, two audio producers in Chicago who were surprised and excited to learn our friend Neal Sáles-Griffin was running for mayor of Chicago. We had lots of questions about what it takes to run a campaign at this level as a political outsider, so we started a podcast to follow along with his journey. In our first episode, we talk to Neal about the importance of the beginner's mindset, the tools he's building for his campaign that he plans to make available for other first-time candidates, and how documenting his process is part of a bigger plan to be mayor with term limits. (Note: We produced this episode before incumbent Rahm Emanuel made the surprise announcement that he's not running for a third term. Neal will address the news in a bonus episode coming next week!)

Show Notes


]]> We're Shaun and Wailin, two audio producers in Chicago who were surprised and excited to learn our friend Neal Sáles-Griffin was running for mayor of Chicago. We had lots of questions about what it takes to run a campaign at this level as a political outsider, so we started a podcast to follow along with his journey. In our first episode, we talk to Neal about the importance of the beginner's mindset, the tools he's building for his campaign that he plans to make available for other first-time candidates, and how documenting his process is part of a bigger plan to be mayor with term limits. (Note: We produced this episode before incumbent Rahm Emanuel made the surprise announcement that he's not running for a third term. Neal will address the news in a bonus episode coming next week!)

Show Notes


]]> Thu, 13 Sep 2018 07:00:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 1293 Welcome to our first episode! Neal Sáles-Griffin is running for mayor of Chicago and he's letting us follow him around. Welcome to our first episode! Neal Sáles-Griffin is running for mayor of Chicago and he's letting us follow him around. chicago, politics, elections, local government No Neal Runs For Mayor - Teaser Neal Runs For Mayor - Teaser trailer b06364d6-d9c2-4461-8040-175f7ecb4c54 https://share.transistor.fm/s/cd81ba8a Tue, 24 Jul 2018 13:00:00 -0500 Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner Wailin Wong & Shaun Hildner 186 Coming soon: A new podcast that follows the mayoral campaign of lifelong Chicagoan Neal Sáles-Griffin. You'll hear from his friends and family—as well as Neal himself—through the ups and downs of running for office as a first-time candidate. Subscribe now so you'll get the episode as soon as we launch! Coming soon: A new podcast that follows the mayoral campaign of lifelong Chicagoan Neal Sáles-Griffin. You'll hear from his friends and family—as well as Neal himself—through the ups and downs of running for office as a first-time candidate. Subscribe now chicago, politics No