2026 field may grow as gubernatorial hopefuls challenge Pritzker
[June 30, 2025]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Three men had already announced campaigns for
governor when J.B. Pritzker launched his bid for a third term last week,
but the field of candidates is expected to grow.
DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced his candidacy for the
Republican nomination for governor in February. Lake Forest businessman
and former 10th Congressional District candidate Joe Severino joined the
GOP field in April. Phil Perez, a mechanic and member of the Posen Park
District Commission, is also running.
Pritzker is a billionaire incumbent with widespread support in the
Democratic Party and will likely have a massive financial edge over any
potential opponent for governor. He has not ruled out a run for
President in 2028.
Mendrick said Pritzker is offering Illinoisans more of the same and
might not finish his term.
“For him, an election is like, ‘Hey, can I buy that election on aisle
three because I want to buy a different election on aisle four in a
couple years.’ It’s just fast food, pay-to-play politics,” Mendrick told
The Center Square.
Severino has criticized other Republicans and said the GOP nominee must
not be someone who has helped shield Democrats.
“We have to draw a distinction between the Republican agenda and
ideologies and values versus what we’ve had for the last six-and-a-half
years. I think when there’s a stark contrast rather than blurring the
lines with these pseudo-Republicans, people will shake off the voter
fatigue and show up at the ballot box and it will favor the
Republicans,” Severino told The Center Square.
[to top of second column]
|
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker - BlueRoomStream
Other Republicans rumored to be considering a run include Illinois
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, and state Rep. Blaine Wilhour,
R-Beecher City. So far, no Democrats have declared plans to
challenge Pritzker.
Perez said the people of Illinois want honesty.
“The current administration hasn’t done a good job of being
straightforward with the people of Illinois. I think that honesty is
going to be the best policy in this campaign,” Perez told The Center
Square.
Perez called the Pritzker administration’s taxing and spending
“outrageous” and said his biggest priority is to get Illinois back
on track.
The governor recognized the impact of inflation as he kicked off his
reelection campaign last week.
“From groceries to concert tickets to mortgages to cars to
healthcare, we have created a world where one job isn’t enough to
raise kids, one salary not enough to own a home and one lifetime of
work not enough to earn retirement,” Pritzker said.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
