2026 Illinois gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Illinois gubernatorial election

←  2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor JB Pritzker Democratic

The 2026 Illinois gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the Governor of Illinois. This election will coincide with various other federal and state elections, including the U.S. Senate elections and U.S. House elections.

Governor JB Pritzker was re-elected in 2022 with 54.9% of the vote. Because Illinois does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election to a third term and has publicly expressed interest in doing so. ^[1] If Pritzker decides against running, potential Democratic candidates include Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan & Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel. ^[2]

Potential Republican candidates include former state senator and 2022 gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, former Cook County Republican Party Chair Aaron Del Mar, and Republican national committeeman Richard Porter. ^[3]

Background

Governor JB Pritzker, a member of the Democratic Party, has been in office since 2019 and successfully won re-election in 2022. The political climate in Illinois has continued to favor Democrats in statewide elections, but Republicans remain competitive, especially in rural and suburban areas.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• JB Pritzker, incumbent governor (2019–present) ^[4]

Potential

• Rahm Emanuel, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan (2022–2025) and former mayor of Chicago (2011–2019) ^[5]

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• Aaron Del Mar, Palatine Township Highway Commissioner, former chair of the Cook County Republican Party, and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022 ^[6]
• Richard Porter, former member of the Republican National Committee and the Illinois State Police Merit Board ^[7]

Potential

• Jeanne Ives, former state representative, candidate for governor in 2018, and nominee for Illinois's 6th congressional district in 2020 ^[7]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [8]	Solid D	January 23, 2025
Inside Elections [9]	Solid D	February 6, 2025

See also

• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections
• Illinois gubernatorial elections

References

1. Kapos, Shia (August 20, 2024). "DNC's dramatic Day One". Politico. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024. During the Illinois breakfast meeting, Pritzker hinted at a third term, saying his wife, MK Pritzker, would be the decider
2. Allen, Jonathan; Korecki, Natasha (November 18, 2024). "DNC Chair race officially takes flight with its first candidate: Martin O'Malley". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
3. Pfingsten, Patrick (2024-03-27). "Which Republicans Are Positioning For A Run For Governor?". The Illinoize. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
4. Kapos, Shia (January 30, 2025). "Pritzker's tense call with Schumer". Politico . Retrieved January 31, 2025. Pritzker was asked by a reporter if he would seek a third term...'I have to make a decision over the next few months,' he said.
5. Sweet, Lynn (23 November 2024). "What's next for Rahm Emanuel?". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved 2 December 2024.
6. Barker, Catrina (February 10, 2025). "Del Mar teases run for 'higher office,' sparking 2026 Illinois governor speculation". The Center Square . Retrieved February 10, 2025.
7. Pfingsten, Patrick (January 28, 2025). "GOP Field for Governor in 2026 Slow to Develop". The Illinoize. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
8. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
9. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved 2025-02-07.