Illinois Governor — Republican Primary

Four Republicans compete to challenge incumbent Governor J.B. Pritzker in November. Darren Bailey — the 2022 Republican nominee who lost by 11 points — leads in name recognition. He faces businessman Rick Heidner (Illinois Gaming Investors founder), fiscal policy wonk Ted Dabrowski (Wirepoints president), and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick. The race centers on property taxes, the SAFE-T Act, spending, and who can make the strongest case against Pritzker. All major forecasters still rate the general as Solid Democratic.