Illinois Governor Race Enters Final Stretch as Pritzker and Bailey Face Off

Illinois voters headed to the polls to decide whether to grant Democratic Governor JB Pritzker a third term or to elect Republican challenger Darren Bailey in a closely watched midterm rematch. The contest, which echoes the 2022 matchup where Pritzker defeated Bailey by nearly 13 points, sits at the top of a packed ballot that also features key congressional races, a U.S. Senate seat, and Chicago's first fully elected school board.

During his final campaign stops, Pritzker emphasized his administration's accomplishments while also looking at the national landscape. Speaking to supporters in Collinsville on Monday, he maintained that he was not taking anything for granted. "We're not taking anything for granted," Pritzker said, pointing to high voter turnout among young people, Black voters, Latino voters, and working families across the country.

Bailey, a farmer from southern Illinois and former state senator, sought to turn voter frustration with the economy and local governance into momentum to flip the governor's office red for the first time since 2019. Campaigning in downtown Chicago, Bailey criticized the incumbent's past eight years in office. "JB Pritzker's had eight years. Look at where we're at," Bailey told reporters, pledging to suspend the state gas tax for six months and roll back toll increases on his first day in office.

The campaign has featured distinct approaches from both candidates. Pritzker has pointed to policies enacted during his tenure, such as raising the minimum wage and eliminating the state grocery tax, as proof of his commitment to affordability. Meanwhile, Bailey has attempted to distance himself from his past controversial remarks about Chicago while leaning into local issues like property taxes and crime, alongside running mate Aaron Del Mar, a former Cook County GOP chairman.

Pritzker enters Election Day with a new running mate, deputy governor Christian Mitchell, who stepped in after Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Dick Durbin. Mitchell aims to make history as the first Black man to serve as Illinois lieutenant governor.

The race has also drawn notable cross-party commentary. Former Illinois House Republican leader Jim Durkin endorsed Pritzker, stating he could not in good conscience support Bailey due to concerns over the direction of the party. Conversely, Bailey has received endorsements from Donald Trump, even as polls leading into Election Day indicated Pritzker maintained a comfortable lead.

Polling places across Illinois remain open until 7 p.m. local time, with election officials anticipating high participation as voters decide the political future of the state's executive office and legislative majorities.