IL Governor's Race Heats Up As 4 Republicans Vie For Chance To Unseat Pritzker

Despite freezing temperatures across the state, this year's gubernatorial race is definitely heating up, with debates and forums underway for the various candidates. Among the hot topics expected to be discussed by the candidates are the future of the Chicago Bears, the SAFE-T-Act, federal immigration agents in Illinois, and government efficiency.

On the Democratic side, Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking a third term to head the state, and is facing no challenges heading into March's primary election. His only challenger, Patricia Tillman, a former candidate for alderman in Chicago, is out. She was removed from the candidate list on Jan. 9, according to elections.il.gov.

Pritzker, who turned 61 this week, will be joined on the ballot by Christian Mitchell, his choice for lieutenant governor. Mitchell, who served as Pritzker's deputy governor during his first term, replaces Juliana Stratton on the ticket. She is running for U.S. Senate in this year's election.

Pritzker, one of President Donald Trump's most vocal critics, has defended the SAFE-T-Act. He signed it into law in 2021, with it taking full effect two years later. Last week, the governor said the law's efficiency has resulted in a reduction in crime rates across Illinois.

RELATED: IL Gubernatorial Candidates File To Challenge Pritzker In 2026

When candidates filed for this year's contests over the fall, seven Republicans signed up for the chance to challenge Pritzker in November. Since then, three have dropped out, including Max Solomon (withdrew on Dec. 1), Joseph Severino (removed for insufficient signatures on Jan. 8) and Gregg Moore (disqualified by the Illinois State Board of Elections on Jan. 22).

That leaves a field of four heading into the March 17 primary, with 2022 GOP nominee Darren Bailey, former Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski, businessman Rick Heidner and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick on the ballot.

The quartet participated in a candidate forum at GAT Guns in East Dundee Monday night, reports The Center Square. The media outlet said the candidates didn't criticize each other much during the event, but did have plenty of barbs pointed at Pritzker.

Bailey, of Louisville, is eyeing a rematch with Pritzker in November. The former state senator and state representative ran an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in 2022, and also came up short in a Congressional primary two years later. The downstate farmer has chosen Aaron Del Mar as his running mate.

Many wondered if Bailey would continue his campaign following the deaths of four family members in an October 2025 helicopter crash. Bailey's son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7, died in the crash in Montana.

"Many have asked if we plan to stay in the race for Governor. After a lot of prayer and honest conversations, we've decided to continue," Bailey said in November. "We believe Illinois is worth fighting for, and we’re committed to moving forward — one day at a time."

Earlier this month, Capitol News Illinois reported Bailey has a "commanding" lead in the Republican race. One of the ideas the 59-year-old is hoping to bring more attention is his proposed DOGE-like system for Illinois, mirroring the efforts Elon Musk and President Donald Trump made with their Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year. That agency has since disbanded, but Bailey thinks it could work here.

"It needs to be broken down," Bailey said earlier this month in Springfield regarding the state's budget, reports Capitol News Illinois. "It needs to be audited. It needs to be opened up so that people know where the money's coming from. I am very confident there are going to be a lot of waste discovery in that."

The other three candidates will try in the coming weeks to gain ground on Bailey, which would make the Republican primary a closer than predicted race.

Dabrowski, of Wilmette, who runs Wirepoints.org, a conservative research publication, has selected Carrie Mendoza to join him on the ticket.

Mendrick, of Woodridge, the DuPage County Sheriff, is joined by Robert Renteria for lieutenant governor.

Heidner, of Barrington Hills, is a real estate developer and owner of a video gambling company, and has chosen Christina Neitzke-Troike as his lieutenant governor pick.

In Illinois, early and mail-in voting begin on Feb. 5, with the last day for voter registration scheduled for Feb. 17.