Pritzker to make third term run official Thursday

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will run for a third term as governor, according to a source close to Pritzker’s campaign, and is set to kick off his reelection bid on Thursday.

The governor’s political future has been the topic of significant speculation, especially since he was shortlisted for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate search last summer in her campaign for the White House.

While Harris eventually chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Pritzker played a significant role as a Harris campaign surrogate and has remained in the national spotlight since.

Earlier this year, Pritzker spoke at a fundraising dinner in New Hampshire, offering sharp criticism of President Donald Trump. He’s also rebuked the president several times on cable news shows and podcasts with national audiences.

Pritzker’s national attention is likely to come up in his reelection campaign. Illinois Republicans frequently criticize the governor for what they call the early stages of a run for President. Democrats, too, sometimes float the governor as a potential candidate for the highest office in the land.

(Former Chicago Mayor and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who is considering a run, told Crain’s Chicago Business last week a run against Pritzker would be “awkward.”)

But the governor’s national ambitions aren’t ruled out by the run for governor. He could still announce a run for president down the line.

So what happens now? First, the formal announcement on Thursday. Pritzker is expected to make stops in Chicago and Springfield to kick off his campaign.

Pritzker will also have to, at some point, pick his number two — although who and when are still unknown. Current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who joined Pritzker for both of his terms, is running for U.S. Senate.

Several Republicans have announced a run for governor. DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said he would run earlier this year. Mechanic and Posen Park District Commissioner Phil Perez and businessman Joe Severino have also publicly said they are running, while Cook County GOP Chair Aaron Del Mar is also mulling a run.

We’ll have coverage of the announcement later this week at the CNI website.