Governor of Illinois

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker defeated Republican Darren Bailey for the second consecutive election, winning a third term and becoming the first Democrat in state history to do so. The Associated Press called the race shortly after polls closed, with Pritzker drawing more than 2.3 million votes to Bailey's 1.4 million, with strong support in Cook and collar counties. Bailey, a downstate farmer, had won the Republican primary in March over Ted Dabrowski, James Mendrick and Rick Heidner. The last governor to serve three or more terms was Republican Jim Thompson, from 1977 to 1991. Pritzker's running mate, Christian Mitchell, will become lieutenant governor, succeeding Juliana Stratton, who sought Illinois' open U.S. Senate seat.

Pritzker campaigned on raising the minimum wage, eliminating the grocery tax, and improving state finances. His rising national profile as a Trump critic continues to fuel speculation about a possible 2028 presidential run, though he has not confirmed any plans.

Illinois voters headed to the polls Nov. 3, with the race for U.S. Senate between Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy topping the ballot after Dick Durbin's retirement, alongside Gov. JB Pritzker's bid for a third term against Trump-endorsed Republican Darren Bailey. Polls were open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be counted up to two weeks later. Chicago elected its first fully elected school board, with 21 members across 20 districts plus a citywide board president. Other contests included an open state comptroller race, all 118 Illinois House seats and 39 Senate seats, five open Chicago-area congressional seats, a new Cook County assessor, and Board President Toni Preckwinkle's reelection bid. Democrats currently hold every statewide office and remain favored in most races.

Illinois voters will decide a slate of statewide races in the 2026 midterms. Gov. JB Pritzker, seeking a third term, faces Republican Darren Bailey and independent Collin Corbett. Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who has filed numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration over federal funding cuts, faces Republican Bob Fioretti. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, also eyeing a 2027 Chicago mayoral bid, faces Republican Diane M. Harris. Comptroller Susana Mendoza is retiring to run for Chicago mayor, leaving Democratic state Rep. Margaret Croke against Republican Bryan Drew. A special legislative race pits appointed Rep. Jessica Dixon Heitman against Republican Gabby Shanahan, following Harry Benton's resignation amid harassment allegations.

Jim Durkin, who led Illinois House Republicans for nearly a decade before retiring in 2023, announced he is backing Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker over GOP nominee Darren Bailey in the governor's race. Durkin, who served alongside Bailey in Springfield, said Bailey's politics are about "exclusion over inclusion" and "subtraction over addition." Conservatives have previously faulted Durkin for working closely with Democrats and criticizing President Trump.

Illinois GOP Chairman Bob Grogan pushed back, defending Bailey and attacking Pritzker's record on taxes, immigration and spending. Bailey's running mate, Aaron Del Mar, dismissed Durkin's endorsement as self-serving, suggesting it was tied to Durkin's lobbying business or ambitions for a future appointment, and recalled friction from Durkin's House caucus supporting a major income tax increase.

Separately, the Democratic Party of Illinois filed a state elections complaint alleging Bailey failed to report free rent on a Chicago apartment used for campaign purposes, calling it an undisclosed contribution. The Bailey campaign called the complaint a politically motivated distraction.