Conservative policy wonk says GOP needs to try something new to beat Pritzker in 2026

Dabrowski is making electability his central argument, pointing to Darren Bailey's decisive 2022 loss to Pritzker

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Governor candidate Ted Dabrowski argues he is uniquely positioned to unite the fractured Illinois GOP, raise the funds needed to compete statewide and win back suburban voters crucial to a Republican victory. Dabrowski is making electability his central argument, pointing to Darren Bailey's decisive 2022 loss to Pritzker as evidence Republicans need a new standard-bearer. His policy platform includes capping property taxes at 1% of home value, cutting the state income tax rate, auditing state spending and repealing the SAFE-T Act.

Why it matters

For years, Ted Dabrowski wielded influence behind the scenes in Illinois Republican circles, serving as a go-to source for conservative research and commentary. Now, he is stepping out from the background and into the political limelight, placing his name on the ballot for the first time as one of four GOP candidates vying to deny Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker a third term.

The details

Dabrowski, of Wilmette, said he is the strongest candidate to take on Pritzker, claiming he can win back the suburban voters necessary for a Republican to win statewide while still pledging allegiance to conservative policy positions he says are 'common sense.' His positions are uncompromisingly conservative, though he believes them to be within the confines of 'common sense.' Dabrowski is proposing a phased capping of Illinois' property tax rates at 1% of a home's value and lowering the state's individual income tax rate from 4.95% to 3%.

  • Dabrowski launched his campaign last fall.

The players

Ted Dabrowski

A 62-year-old conservative policy wonk who is stepping out from the background and into the political limelight, placing his name on the ballot for the first time as one of four GOP candidates vying to deny Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker a third term.

JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois who is seeking a third term.

Darren Bailey

The Republican nominee for governor in 2022 who lost decisively to Pritzker.

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What they’re saying

“I've tried to put out solutions; I've exposed the problems. I've been traveling the state, working with legislators, working with grassroots groups and I finally said, 'Look, I can't keep watching what's happening. I got to get off the sideline and get in the game.'”

— Ted Dabrowski (Capitol News Illinois)

“The things I stand for, I think we're going to have more than 50% agree with me in Illinois, and that's why I'm running.”

— Ted Dabrowski (Capitol News Illinois)

“When you thoughtfully consider who has the ability to win new voters, repair our state, attract support statewide and unite our party, the choice is clear, period.”

— State Rep. Travis Weaver, R-Peoria (Capitol News Illinois)

What’s next

Dabrowski will have to get past the party's 2022 nominee, former state Sen. Darren Bailey, as well as video gambling mogul Rick Heidner and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick to win the GOP nomination. To win the general election, he'll have to get through Pritzker, a self-funding billionaire who's believed to have 2028 presidential ambitions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges facing the Illinois Republican Party as it seeks to regain relevance in a state dominated by Democrats. Dabrowski is betting that his conservative policy positions and ability to unite the party's factions can help him overcome the electability concerns that doomed the party's 2022 nominee, Darren Bailey.