Overview
- Four Republicans are competing next month to face Gov. J.B. Pritzker, with ABC7 beginning its interviews with Ted Dabrowski and Rick Heidner.
- A Chicago Tribune editorial stopped short of an endorsement but outlined three serious contenders and noted a fourth, James Mendrick, has mounted little visible campaign activity.
- Darren Bailey presented a moderated tone since 2022, highlighted three pillars of education, safety and affordability, and named Cook County GOP chair Aaron Del Mar as his running mate after a family tragedy last fall.
- Ted Dabrowski, the former Wirepoints president, proposed an immediate freeze on all taxes, department-by-department waste cuts, renewed job growth and stronger immigration enforcement.
- Businessman Rick Heidner, owner of Gold Rush Gaming, centered his pitch on crime and economic revival, opposing the SAFE-T Act and Illinois’ sanctuary policies.