Wait. If you’re searching for who is running for governor in Illinois 2024, there is something you really need to know before we get into the weeds of the names.
Illinois doesn’t actually have a governor’s race this year.
It’s a common mix-up. We see the presidential signs in every yard and assume the whole ballot is packed from top to bottom with every office imaginable. But in the Land of Lincoln, we keep our state-level executive races on the "off-years."
Basically, the Governor of Illinois is elected during the midterms.
Since the last one was in 2022, the next time you'll see a line for governor on your ballot is 2026. However, even though there’s no active vote right now, the race is already effectively happening behind the scenes. Money is moving. Alliances are forming.
Honestly, the "2024" race is more about the 2026 positioning.
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Why the Illinois governor’s seat is vacant in 2024
The Illinois Constitution is pretty specific about this. To avoid the absolute circus of a presidential election drowning out local issues, Illinois (along with many other states) shifted its gubernatorial cycle to the even years between presidential contests.
J.B. Pritzker won his second term in November 2022.
He beat Darren Bailey by a pretty wide margin, roughly 54% to 42%. Because Illinois doesn’t have term limits—unlike many of our neighbors—Pritzker can technically run as many times as he wants.
Right now, the 2024 election cycle in Illinois is focused on the U.S. Presidency, the entire U.S. House delegation, and some big-ticket state legislative seats. If you go to the polls this November, you’ll be voting for the person in the White House, not the person in the Mansion in Springfield.
The 2026 names you’re likely looking for
Even though nobody is technically running for governor in 2024, several heavy hitters have already started making noise for the 2026 cycle. If you were looking for a list of candidates, these are the people currently populating the rumor mill and early filing reports.
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J.B. Pritzker (Incumbent)
The Governor hasn't been shy about his future. He has already signaled he’s seeking a third term. That’s a big deal. If he wins, he’d be the first Illinois governor to win three consecutive terms since Jim Thompson back in the 80s.
Darren Bailey
The former state senator from Xenia isn't going away. Despite losing in 2022, he has remained a loud voice in the Illinois GOP. He formally announced he’s running again for the 2026 seat. He’s leaning heavily into a "grassroots" and "conservative values" platform that plays well in Southern Illinois but struggled in the Chicago suburbs last time around.
Ted Dabrowski
If you follow Illinois policy, you’ve heard of Wirepoints. Dabrowski, the president of that conservative research group, is officially in the mix. He’s positioning himself as the "numbers guy." He’s focused on the state’s pension crisis and fiscal health, trying to appeal to the more moderate, business-minded wing of the Republican party.
James Mendrick
The DuPage County Sheriff is another confirmed name. This is an interesting one. Typically, successful GOP candidates in Illinois need to win big in the "collar counties" (the ones surrounding Chicago). Mendrick has the law-and-order credentials that usually play well in those suburban districts.
Rick Heidner
A newcomer to the political arena but not to the business world. Heidner is a real estate developer and the mogul behind Gold Rush Gaming. He’s entered the Republican primary with a "business-first" approach, though his past donations to some Democrats have already become a talking point for his opponents.
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The "Invisible Primary" of 2024
You might wonder why people are searching for candidates now if the election isn't for another two years.
It’s about the money and the infrastructure.
In Illinois, you don't just "decide" to run for governor and show up. You need a massive amount of capital. Pritzker, being a billionaire, has a self-funding advantage that is almost impossible to beat. Anyone wanting to challenge him in 2026 has to spend all of 2024 and 2025 raising tens of millions of dollars.
- Fundraising: This year, potential candidates are hosting "private dinners" and "informational sessions." These are code for fundraisers.
- The Trump Factor: Since it's a presidential year, Illinois Republicans are watching to see how the national ticket performs. A strong Republican showing in 2024 could embolden more challengers for the 2026 governor's race.
- Primary Challenges: On the Democratic side, things are quieter. Pritzker has a tight grip on the party apparatus. Unless a major progressive or a moderate billionaire decides to jump in, his path to the nomination in 2026 looks fairly clear.
What should you actually do?
If you’re a voter in Illinois, don't let the lack of a governor's race on the 2024 ballot make you stay home.
The down-ballot races are actually more important for how the state is run day-to-day. The state legislature—the General Assembly—is up for election. These are the people who actually write the laws that the governor signs.
- Verify your registration. You can do this on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
- Look at your local State Representative and State Senator. Every seat in the Illinois House is up this year.
- Pay attention to the 2026 filings. The official window to file "intent to run" for the 2026 gubernatorial primary starts sooner than you think.
There's no governor's race in 2024, but the foundation for the next four years of Illinois leadership is being poured right now. Keep an eye on those names like Bailey and Dabrowski, but remember that for this November, your focus stays on the federal level and the state house.
Check your local sample ballot through your County Clerk's office to see exactly who is appearing on your specific ticket this November. It'll save you a lot of confusion when you get to the voting booth.