Pritzker projected to win third term in Illinois governor's race

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is projected to win re-election as Illinois governor on November 4, 2026. His victory would mark him as the first Democrat in state history to secure a third term in the office.

The race was a rematch of the 2022 contest, which also saw Pritzker defeat Republican candidate Darren Bailey. While the final outcome remains consistent with the previous cycle, the distribution of votes across the state has changed.

Early indicators show that Winnebago, McHenry, Sangamon, Jackson, and Alexander counties have switched their support to Pritzker. In 2022, these areas voted for the Republican candidate. This shift represents a move from red to blue on the political map.

Conversely, Whiteside County appears to have flipped in the opposite direction. The county, which voted for Pritzker in 2022, is now trending toward Bailey. These changes in county-level voting suggest a realignment of the electorate, even as the statewide winner remains the same.

Pritzker is a billionaire businessman and heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune. The successful outcome of this midterm election is expected to solidify his position as a potential contender for the U.S. presidency in 2028.

Results were still being counted as of the latest reports. The data reflects the 2026 midterm election cycle, with comparisons drawn from official records of the 2022 general election.