The 2026 Illinois main outcomes for governor have arrange a rematch between Gov. JB Pritzker and his 2022 Republican challenger Darren Bailey, after CBS Information initiatives Bailey has received the GOP main.
Pritzker, now operating with Christian Mitchell after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton launched her marketing campaign for Dick Durbin’s U.S. Senate seat, was unopposed within the Democratic main and is now searching for his third time period because the governor of Illinois.
Pritzker’s nationwide profile has grown as he has been one among President Trump’s most vocal critics. He used a marketing campaign advert in March to spotlight efforts to oppose the Trump Administration’s aggressive federal immigration crackdown in Chicago, often known as Operation Halfway Blitz, final fall.
He spent a few of his victory speech Tuesday evening targeted on the president.
“Proper now, grifters of corruption and selfishness, purveyors of bigotry and hatred, have taken management of the White Home and Congress,” Pritzker stated. “The Carnival Barker in Chief – sorry, the Commander in Thief – says there is not any federal cash for well being care and meals help for households in want. However that they had no bother discovering tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to ship masked troops with assault weapons onto the streets of Illinois to terrorize Individuals. They’re taking pictures mothers within the face. They shot a nurse within the again who was peacefully protesting. A instructor’s assistant was shot 5 instances for honking her horn and yelling. These have been all Americans. After which one thing exceptional occurred – whilst different states capitulated to Donald Trump – the seemingly unstoppable drive of Trump’s unrestrained energy met the immovable object of Illinoisans’ braveness.”
Bailey, a former Illinois state consultant and state senator, joined with Cook dinner County Republican Get together Chairman Aaron Del Mar as his operating mate this yr. A farmer in southern Illinois, Bailey made a reputation for himself through the COVID-19 pandemic when he unsuccessfully fought state govt orders requiring masks in most public settings.
Bailey simply received the 2022 Republican main, however went on to lose to Pritzker within the basic election by 13 factors. In 2024, he challenged U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois) within the Republican main for his seat and misplaced.
Bailey has criticized Pritzker’s management, together with blaming him for rising prices, and saying he is “simply one other billionaire who has by no means as soon as felt the ache he is inflicted.”
