DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will face one challenger in the 2026 Primary Election, after the state's candidate filing deadline passed Monday.
Pritzker, a Democrat, will go up against Patricia Tillman who was an unsuccessful write-in for alderman in Chicago in 2023. Pritzker has picked Christian Mitchell for lieutenant governor. Current Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is running for U.S. Senate. Tillman picked Joseph Mosley for lieutenant governor.
Pritzker, the state's 43rd governor, is seeking his third term in office.
The Republican side of the field is crowded with seven candidates.
Darren Bailey, who lost to Pritzker in 2022, is again back on the ballot. However, the tragic deaths of his son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren last month has thrown his candidacy into question as he decides whether or not to move forward. Aaron Del Mar is his lieutenant governor pick.
Other GOP candidates include Ted Dabrowski and Carrie Mendoza (lt. governor), James Mendrick and Robert Renteria (lt. governor), Rick Heidner and Christina Neitzke-Troike (lt. governor), Joseph Severino and Rantch Isquith (lt. governor), and Max Solomon and Geno Young (lt. governor). Greg Moore is also running for governor as a Republican.
The 2026 Illinois Primary Election is March 17.
In addition to the race for governor there is a crowded race to replace Sen. Dick Durbin, who announced his retirement earlier this year. The field has 22 candidates from both parties.
There are also races for U.S. House plus several statewide legislative seats and constitutional offices, such as Attorney General, Comptroller, and Treasurer. There are several seats up for election in the Illinois court system.
Here is information for voting in 2026:
- Find your elected officials
- Search all candidates running for office
- Register to Vote
- Other voting information including election security, voting by mail, and sample ballots
The 2026 Illinois General Election is Nov. 3.
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