Pritzker wins third term as AP calls Illinois race minutes after polls close
The Democratic governor defeated Republican Darren Bailey and Independent Collin Corbett, securing his third consecutive term in office.
By Rebecca Svoboda ·
The Associated Press called the Illinois gubernatorial race for Democratic incumbent JB Pritzker at 7:02 p.m. on Tuesday. The call came minutes after voting ended, confirming Pritzker’s victory in the state’s top executive office.
Pritzker, 61, now holds the seat for a third consecutive term. He first won the office in 2018, defeating Republican Governor Bruce Rauner with 54.5 percent of the vote. In 2022, he defeated Republican Darren Bailey, capturing 54.6 percent of the vote to Bailey’s 42.6 percent. This latest election marks his third successful bid for the position.
The 2026 campaign centered on economic pressures facing working families. Pritzker focused his messaging on lowering the cost of living and expanding affordable healthcare access. He proposed raising wages, including an increase to the minimum wage, and reducing housing and energy costs. His campaign website described his strategy as protecting Illinoisans from what he called “authoritarian MAGA Republicans.”
Republican candidate Darren Bailey, 60, of Xenia, challenged Pritzker with a message focused on fiscal restraint. Bailey, a third-generation farmer and former state legislator, argued that the state government had a spending problem. He pledged to cap property tax increases at 1 percent and roll back the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Bailey stated that the state’s “spending priorities are out of whack” in his response to a local media questionnaire.
Independent candidate Collin Corbett, 40, of Palatine, ran as a small business owner and political strategist. Corbett identified as center-right on fiscal issues and center-left on social issues. He proposed lowering property and gas taxes and increasing price transparency in the healthcare market. Although he did not win the election, Corbett said he intends to build an independent majority in the state legislature following the vote.
The two main candidates engaged in a heated debate on October 13. They addressed state spending, education funding, and the status of the Chicago Bears. Pritzker cited his administrative record, while Bailey criticized Pritzker’s leadership and frequent references to President Trump. Bailey also campaigned on lowering utility costs and supporting law enforcement.
Pritzker entered the race with a background in business and philanthropy. Before becoming governor, he co-founded Pritzker Group Private Capital. He also donated $100 million to Northwestern Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor. The institution was subsequently renamed the Pritzker Law School in recognition of the gift.
The AP’s immediate call reflects a trend in recent Illinois elections. In 2022, the wire service called Pritzker’s win just seconds after polls closed. The result gives the Democratic governor another four years to implement his economic and healthcare plans.
