Chicago Billionaire J.B. Pritzker To Run For Illinois Governor

CHICAGO, IL — In his annoucement Thursday that he's running in the Democratic primary for Illinois governor, billionaire venture capitalist J.B. Pritzker rallied supporters at the Grand Crossing Gym by telling them he decided on his election bid after seeing "everything we care about" come "under seige" by President Donald Trump and Gov. Bruce Rauner, the man he hopes to be chosen by his party to unseat.

“Gov. Bruce Rauner is a failure. He promised a ‘Turnaround,’ and all we got was the runaround," he said in his 15-minute speech Thursday, April 6, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "He said he would stand up to the special interests and instead he’s become his own special interest. He said he wanted to shake up Springfield, but instead he’s tearing it down."

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Pritzker — founder of Pritzker Group Venture Capital, the largest Midwest-based venture investor — discussed the 6,000 jobs created by 1871, the Chicago digital startup he founded, and he later told reporters he would support a tax increase for the rich, the report stated. His campaign also launched a video, showing him pressing the flesh with Thursday morning commuters at CTA stops and other places around the city.

RELATED: Chicago Billionaire J.B. Pritzker Creates Exploratory Committee For Governor

The announcement Thursday comes after Pritzker formed an exploratory committee last month to look into a gubernatorial run. He joins other Democratic contenders, including Chris Kennedy, son of the late Robert F. Kennedy; Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar (47th Ward); State Sen. Daniel Biss; Madison County schools Superintendent Bob Daiber; and Skokie businessman Alex Paterakis.

RELATED: Chris Kennedy To Run For Illinois Governor In 2018

This isn't the first time Pritzker has run for office. In 1998, he ran for U.S. Congress in Illinois' 9th District, losing in the three-way Democratic primary.

In 2014, Forbes magazine named Pritzker, the country's largest philanthropist, the 161st richest American and the 512th richest person in the world. His net worth is estimated at $3.4 billion.

WATCH: The campaign for Chicago billionaire J.B. Pritzker released a video on his first day as a candidate:

More via the Chicago Sun-Times

J.B. Pritzker speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) on June 13, 2013, in Chicago. (photo by Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty Images)

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