Pritzker and Bailey to Face Off in Illinois Governor Race

Incumbent Pritzker seeks third term, challenger Bailey criticizes his leadership

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:04am

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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, will face off against Republican challenger Darren Bailey in the upcoming November gubernatorial election. Pritzker is seeking an unprecedented third term as governor, while Bailey won the Republican nomination after criticizing Pritzker's leadership and blaming him for rising costs in the state.

Why it matters

The Illinois governor's race is a high-profile contest that will have significant implications for the state's policies and direction. Pritzker, a billionaire, is seeking to become the first Illinois governor in decades to win a third term, while Bailey, a conservative Republican, has positioned himself as a challenger to Pritzker's more progressive agenda.

The details

Pritzker, the incumbent Democrat, was unopposed in his primary and is the first Illinois governor to seek a third term since the 1980s. Bailey won the Republican nomination after defeating a four-candidate field. He has chosen Aaron Del Mar, the Republican Party leader in Cook County, as his running mate. On the campaign trail, Bailey has criticized Pritzker's leadership, including blaming him for rising costs in the state.

  • The Illinois gubernatorial election is set to take place in November 2026.

The players

JB Pritzker

The current Democratic governor of Illinois who is seeking an unprecedented third term.

Darren Bailey

The Republican challenger who won his party's nomination and will face Pritzker in the November election.

Aaron Del Mar

The Republican Party leader in Cook County who is Bailey's running mate.

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What they’re saying

“Darren Bailey has proven time and time again that he only cares about winning Trump's approval. His ultra-MAGA values threaten to move Illinois backward, making him far too conservative for this state. Illinois deserves a governor who's focused on what matters, and that's exactly what Governor Pritzker is delivering – lowering healthcare costs, expanding childcare and paid leave, and protecting fundamental freedoms.”

— Pritzker Campaign Spokesperson

“He's just another billionaire who has never once felt the pain he's inflicted.”

— Darren Bailey, Gubernatorial Candidate

What’s next

The November 2026 Illinois gubernatorial election will determine whether Pritzker secures a historic third term or if Bailey is able to unseat the incumbent Democrat.

The takeaway

The Illinois governor's race is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle between the progressive policies of Pritzker and the conservative agenda of Bailey, with the outcome having significant implications for the direction of the state.