Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) is running for a third term, making him the first governor in the state to seek a third term in more than 30 years.
Many political strategists see Pritzker’s bid for a third term as governor as a step toward a run for the White House.
On Thursday, Pritzker shared a campaign advertisement touting his achievements as governor, such as balancing seven budgets and overseeing the state’s nine credit upgrades.
“I’m running for re-election to protect our progress and continue solving the problems we face,” Pritzker posted on X. “Let’s keep Illinois moving forward.”
Pritzker’s third-term bid is historic. He is the first Illinois governor to pursue a third term since Republican Gov. Jim Thompson, who served four terms from 1977 to 1991. Illinois does not limit governors’ terms. Pritzker continues to define the state’s Democratic Party, having spent millions of his own money on building it up.
In recent years, the governor’s profile has steadily risen on the national stage. He was floated as a running mate for then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle.
The governor has also taken increasingly bold stances on national issues. He has championed abortion access, lobbied aggressively for the Democratic National Convention to be held in Chicago, and has spoken out sharply against President Donald Trump. Pritzker said his role as Illinois governor gives him the “bully pulpit” to speak out against Trump.
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“The bully pulpit that I get as governor gives me the opportunity at least to speak to what I think that our common American values are, and we are the center of the country, the heart of the country,” Pritzker said. “So it gives me that opportunity to talk about what I think is happening in the country and the dangers that I think we’re facing.”
His announcement comes amid broader political shifts, as longtime Democratic figures such as Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) have announced their retirements, leading Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton to eye Durbin’s Senate seat.
