Here’s who’s running against Pritzker for Illinois Governor in 2026

ILLINOIS (WTVO) — Last week, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced his re-election bid for a third term.

During his time in office, Pritzker has legalized marijuana in Illinois, raised the minimum wage to $15, codified the state’s abortion rights, and abolished cash bail. He defeated Sen. Darren Bailey in a 2022 re-election.

He has not announced a running mate since Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is running for the U.S. Senate.

There has been speculation that Pritzker may seek a higher office and throw his name into the mix for president in 2028.

Several Republican and Independent hopefuls have announced campaigns to unseat the Democrat in the 2026 gubernatorial race.

James Mendrick

DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced his candidacy in February.

DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick stands for a portrait in his office at the county jail, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Wheaton, Ill. Mendrick partners with Michael Beary, civilian director and chief architect, who oversees the jail’s new, novel gang-cessation and jobs program. The inmates aren’t promised jobs or reduced sentences. But if they graduate, the sheriff writes a letter touting their participation. Help is also offered to relocate them away from their gangs. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Mendrick has worked in law enforcement since 1996 and has been sheriff since 2018.

According to Politico, Mendrick disagrees with the SAFE-T Act, which allows certain offenders to be released from jail without bail. Mendrick said he believes inmates should get addiction and mental health treatment while in jail. He currently oversees the DuPage County Jail, which instituted a gang cessation and jobs program in 2022.

Mendrick also opposes the state’s TRUST Act, saying the law that prohibits law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials puts a strain on Illinois taxpayers by encouraging noncitizen migrants to come to Illinois.

“I’m a Republican with a lot of conservative values,” Mendrick said. “It’s hard to be a slave to the politics. It’s just about doing the right thing.”

Mendrick’s campaign focuses on ending “reckless, soft-on crime policies, including no-cash bail,” rehabilitating criminal offenders, restoring cooperation with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to end illegal immigration, ending the sanctuary program, strengthen penalties for drug dealers, audit state agencies to eliminate government waste, maintaining gender-specific restrooms, locker rooms, and sports activities, and refocusing education on core academics.

Mendrick has announced Dr. Robert Renteria, a US Army veteran, author, and Latino civic leader, as his running mate.

Joseph Severino

Businessman Joseph Severino announced his candidacy in May.

Joseph Severino. Credit: Severino for Governor

Severino’s campaign focuses on restructuring the state’s debt and lowering taxes, reducing property taxes, exempting those with an annual household income of less than $750,000 from the state’s income tax, keeping women’s sports and locker rooms gender-specific, establishing merit-based academic standards, ending the TRUST Act and abolishing the SAFE-T Act.

According to his campaign website, Severino has run a small business, Elite Valet Systems, for more than 25 years and “personally funded a children’s foundation, as well as many other charities.”

Severino unsuccessfully ran for Illinois’ 10th Congressional seat in 2022, and filed for bankruptcy. Severino claimed that attorneys for his associates mishandled his business when he left it to run for Congress.

Phil Perez

Phil Perez, a fleet mechanic for the Posen Park District, announced his candidacy in May, as an Independent.

Photo: Perez for Governor

Perez said he identified taxation as the number one issue among Illinois residents, and advocates for capping state spending at 2% of the projected rate of inflation, pension reform, and reforming administrative spending in schools.

“This state needs spending cuts! Protection for all its citizens. We need to take care of our children, seniors, and veterans. We need to get rid of laws that don’t make sense. While I believe immigration is important I do not support a free ride. I am a supporter of small business and the bill of rights. Community first politics second,” Perez said on Facebook.

Perez has not yet detailed any specific policy proposals, and has asked for public input.

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