SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker officially launched his bid for a historic third term last week, but much of the attention wasn’t on 2026—it was on 2028.
The 60-year-old Democrat kicked off his reelection campaign with stops across Illinois, from Rockford to Springfield. But in each city, reporters pressed him about one major question: Is he preparing for a presidential run?
While Pritzker refused to say whether he’d serve a full four-year term if reelected, he insisted that any national speculation isn’t a distraction—it’s a strategic advantage for Illinois.
“Having the state of Illinois’ leaders viewed as capable and competent… allows us to get more for the people of Illinois,” Pritzker said during his Springfield event, where he toasted supporters with custom-branded “JBeers.”
Won’t Say If He’ll Finish Term
The governor repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether he plans to serve out a full third term, saying instead that his daily focus remains on Illinois.
“Every day I’m going to wake up thinking about what I’m going to do to help the people of Illinois,” Pritzker said, without directly answering whether he’d finish a full term.
Pritzker’s national visibility has risen sharply over the past year. He was reportedly vetted to be Kamala Harris’ running mate during the last election cycle and took the national stage during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He’s also become a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, frequently sparring with the Republican frontrunner.
National Profile Seen as an Asset, Not a Liability
While critics accuse Pritzker of using his current office as a springboard to the White House, he framed it differently.
“When I first ran for governor in 2017, I never could have imagined people would talk about me as a vice presidential pick or a candidate for president,” Pritzker said. “But I think this attention helps the state.”
He argued that the national spotlight shows the rest of the country that Illinois is being run competently and that it could lead to increased respect, resources, and opportunities for residents.
Eyes on 2028?
If Pritzker were to run for president, he would likely announce sometime in 2027, during the first year of his potential third term. Though he offered no hints of an impending decision, his ambitions were evident throughout the day.
Asked whether he would be running again if Donald Trump hadn’t returned to the political scene, Pritzker acknowledged the moment played a role in his decision.
“I think I still would have,” he said, “but backing away from public service when things are hard doesn’t feel right. I don’t shy away from a fight.”
No Bold New Promises—Yet
Rather than laying out an aggressive third-term platform, Pritzker promised to build on what’s already been accomplished, including:
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Expanding infrastructure investments
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Navigating artificial intelligence policy
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Addressing cost-of-living issues
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Boosting economic growth
He also positioned the next term as a chance to protect Illinois’ recent gains from potential federal rollbacks or conservative leadership in Washington.
New Running Mate to Be Named
With Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton running for U.S. Senate, Pritzker must now select a new running mate before nominating petitions begin in August.
One potential favorite? Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, whom Pritzker described as “qualified” during a campaign stop in East Peoria.
Gordon-Booth has been in the General Assembly since 2009 and currently serves as Assistant House Majority Leader.
Critics Unconvinced
Despite the campaign’s upbeat tone, Republicans and some Democratic skeptics argue Pritzker’s evasiveness about his long-term intentions undermines voter trust.
They claim he’s already half-stepping toward a White House run and may leave Illinois without full-time leadership partway through a third term.
But Pritzker’s allies say the governor has proven his ability to lead while juggling a high-profile presence and that Illinois has gained from his growing influence.
Do you believe Gov. Pritzker’s national attention helps or hurts Illinois? Should he commit to serving all four years if reelected? Share your thoughts in the comments and visit ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com for more political updates and in-depth state coverage.
