Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Today on Open Book, we're not joined by an author, but by a woman fighting to become the next mayor of Chicago. Susana Mendoza grew up in Chicago learning how to stand up to bullies, fight for what she believes in, and never back down. We talk about what’s gone wrong in Chicago, why she says the city can’t afford another bad mayor, and why she’s willing to risk her political career because, as she puts it, “I’m afraid to lose my city.”
Susana A. Mendoza is an American politician. She is the 10th and current Comptroller of Illinois, taking office on December 5, 2016. She previously served as the City Clerk of Chicago from 2011 to 2016. She is running for Mayor of Chicago.
Learn more about her campaign here: susanamendoza.com
Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio.
Pre-order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump, out on the 17th of September in the UK and the 22nd of September in the US: scaramucci.net/allthewrongmoves
Timestamps
0:00 Susana Mendoza Introduction
1:47 Growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants
3:14 The moment her Mom confronted Chicago gang members
5:25 Growing up around violence & leaving Little Village
6:15 Susana's Dad: “In America, I can speak whatever language I want”
8:50 Is Chicago really as dangerous as the media says?
12:48 Has Chicago moved too far left?
15:29 Why Chicago can’t afford another bad mayor
16:53 Why Mendoza is risking her political career
21:02 What’s gone wrong in Chicago & how she plans to fix it
24:53 Five Words
Today on Open Book, we're not joined by an author, but by a woman fighting to become the next mayor of Chicago. Susana Mendoza grew up in Chicago learning how to stand up to bullies, fight for what she believes in, and never back down. We talk about what’s gone wrong in Chicago, why she says the city can’t afford another bad mayor, and why she’s willing to risk her political career because, as she puts it, “I’m afraid to lose my city.”
Susana A. Mendoza is an American politician. She is the 10th and current Comptroller of Illinois, taking office on December 5, 2016. She previously served as the City Clerk of Chicago from 2011 to 2016. She is running for Mayor of Chicago.
Learn more about her campaign here: susanamendoza.com
Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio.
Pre-order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump, out on the 17th of September in the UK and the 22nd of September in the US: scaramucci.net/allthewrongmoves
Timestamps
0:00 Susana Mendoza Introduction
1:47 Growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants
3:14 The moment her Mom confronted Chicago gang members
5:25 Growing up around violence & leaving Little Village
6:15 Susana's Dad: “In America, I can speak whatever language I want”
8:50 Is Chicago really as dangerous as the media says?
12:48 Has Chicago moved too far left?
15:29 Why Chicago can’t afford another bad mayor
16:53 Why Mendoza is risking her political career
21:02 What’s gone wrong in Chicago & how she plans to fix it
24:53 Five Words
