Former NYPD Chief of Department John Chell announces run for NYC mayor 2029

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 12:38AM
ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Former NYPD Chief of Department John Chell announced he is running for New York City mayor in 2029.

Chell made the announcement in a video posted to X on Tuesday.

"I'm a registered Independent-no party, no labels. Right down the middle. Call it purple if you want," Chell said in the X post. "To me, it's simple: what's right is right, and what's wrong is wrong. I'm retired. I live a simple life. I don't have to do this. But I love this city-and I gave nearly 32 years to it. So what's another 8 if it means helping course-correct?"

Chell called himself a "wildcard" with "nothing to lose-and everything to gain."

It was only a few months back when Chell retired after serving over three decades with the NYPD.

The department's highest-ranking uniformed officer stepped down in October of last year.

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