Crowded Field for Governor Leads 2026 Primary Ballot

ROCHELLE – With the Illinois Primary Election just one day away, voters in Lee, Ogle, and DeKalb counties will head to the polls to decide the challenger for the state’s highest office. On the Republican side, a crowded field of four candidates is vying for the chance to take on incumbent Governor JB Pritzker this November. Darren Bailey faces competition from DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, real estate developer Rick Heidner, and researcher Ted Dabrowski. While Pritzker is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, he does so with a new running mate, former Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell, following Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton’s decision to run for U.S. Senate. Polls will open tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. and remain open until 7:00 p.m. Voters are reminded that they must declare a party affiliation to vote in the primary, though all registered voters, regardless of party, may cast a ballot on the local and state referendums. Find your polling place at Vote.org.