Gov. JB Pritzker, the billionaire who has led Illinois since 2019, is facing what could be a crucial political test of his influence within the Democratic Party and of his own political future as Illinois voters cast ballots in their primaries on Tuesday.
The Chicago Democrat is seeking a rare third term. But Pritzker’s reelection race has taken on significance far beyond state politics — it is considered a potential springboard for a presidential campaign in 2028.
But he must first defeat former state Sen. Darren Bailey, who The Associated Press projected as the winner of the GOP primary on Tuesday night. Bailey was the Republican nominee in 2022 and is seeking a rematch.
The GOP candidates largely campaigned on familiar Republican themes in Illinois politics, including lowering taxes, reducing crime and challenging Democratic dominance in state government. Republicans argue that voter frustration over economic issues and public safety could make the race more competitive, although the GOP nominee will face a difficult path in a state that has trended strongly blue in recent years.
Senate kingmaker?
Pritzker ran uncontested in his own Democratic primary. But he tested his clout as a political kingmaker by inserting himself into the messy Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, 82.
Last spring, Pritzker endorsed Lt. Gov. Julia Stratton over nine other Democratic contenders, including close competitors U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Some suspected he did so because of the governor’s long-running feud with Kelly after he pushed to oust her as chair of the Illinois Democratic Party.
It turned out to be a good bet as Stratton emerged the victor on Tuesday night and is likely to be elected to the Senate in the blue state.
Pritzker poured millions of dollars into supporting Stratton, drawing criticism that his intervention risked deepening divisions among Democrats. Pritzker gave $5 million to the pro-Stratton Illinois Future PAC in December, according to federal campaign finance records.
Stratton was Pritzker’s running mate in the 2018 and 2022 elections, serving as his lieutenant governor during both terms.
“There’s some governors who don’t have very good relationships with their lieutenant governor, but if they do, it’s not super uncommon for a governor to weigh in on behalf of their lieutenant governor,” said Jacob Smith, a political scientist at Fordham University who focuses on legislative politics, elections and policymaking, told MS NOW.
The Congressional Black Caucus lashed out at Pritzker’s deep involvement in the race.
“Governor Pritzker’s effort to tip the scales in Illinois’ U.S. Senate race is beyond frustrating for the Congressional Black Caucus,” CBC Chair Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., said in a statement. “A sitting governor shouldn’t be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten by any of us.”
The caucus wanted Pritzker to support one of its own rather than someone outside Congress. In June, the CBC endorsed Kelly and said it was “excited to continue to grow our representation” in the Senate.
Pritzker defended his decision to endorse Stratton.
“I would like a Black woman to represent us in the United States Senate. I just want the best person. She happens to be a Black woman,” he said at a news conference earlier this month. “By the way, I think I’ve proven for many years now that I stand with communities of color across the state and with candidates who are running for public office.”
Pritzker and Clarke’s office did not respond to MS NOW’s request for comment.
Trump critic
The governor, a member of the wealthy Pritzker family that built the Hyatt hotel fortune, entered office after defeating former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018 and won re-election in 2022. If Pritzker is re-elected in November — he is running unopposed in today’s Democratic primary — he would become the first Illinois governor elected to three terms since the 1980s.
During his tenure he has championed a progressive policy agenda that includes legalizing recreational cannabis, raising the state’s minimum wage, expanding abortion protections and pursuing clean energy initiatives. Pritzker remains popular in Illinois, with polls showing that more than 50% of Illinoisans approve of the job he is doing as governor.
But beyond the state, Pritzker, 61, has gained a national political profile as an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, frequently condemning the president’s rhetoric, including his immigration policies, a posture that has elevated Pritzker’s visibility within the party and among Democratic voters. The governor was on the short list for Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate during her 2024 presidential campaign.
Democrats nationwide are closely watching the governor’s political trajectory. Pritzker has repeatedly declined to rule out a White House run in 2028, fueling speculation that he is positioning himself for just that.
“I’m not weighing that decision,” Pritzker said in a New York Times interview this month. “Listen, I’m proud and pleased that people think that my leadership is something that would put me on the stage as a potential presidential candidate.”
The governor, who said in a recent interview that “Donald Trump has made this world less safe,” credits his willingness to call out the president as the reason some view him as a possible contender for the Oval Office.
“The reasons that people are doing that have more to do with the conviction that I have offered on the subject of stepping between Donald Trump and the people of my state and protecting people and speaking out and being unafraid,” he told The New York Times. “I wish more Democratic politicians were doing that right now, and more politicians in general.”
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