Illinois Governor Primary

About This Race

The Illinois Governor Primary of 2026 is a statewide election in which voters select the Democratic and Republican nominees for the office of Governor of Illinois. The primary will be held on June 16, 2026, with the winner advancing to the general election in November. This race determines who will lead the state for a four-year term beginning in January 2027.

Candidates

Important Dates

Election Date: June 16, 2026
Registration Deadline: May 20, 2026
Early Voting Starts: June 3, 2026
Early Voting Ends: June 15, 2026

How to Vote

To vote in the Illinois Governor Primary, voters must be registered by May 20, 2026. Registration can be completed online via the Illinois State Board of Elections website, by mail, or in person at local election offices. Early voting is available from June 3 to June 15, 2026, at designated polling places, and voters must present a valid ID if registering for the first time or if their registration is inactive.

Incumbent

Democratic

Ed Markey

Senator

Biography

Ed Markey is a United States Senator from Massachusetts. He has served in the Senate since 2013 and previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Incumbent

Democratic

JB Pritzker

Governor of Illinois

Biography

Incumbent Governor JB Pritzker, a member of the Democratic Party and co-founder of the Pritzker Group, is seeking re-election after serving since 2019. He previously worked in venture capital and philanthropy, and is running on a record of expanding healthcare access, investing in education, and supporting labor rights.

Campaign Website

Incumbent

Democratic

Kirsten Gillibrand

Senator

No biography available for this candidate yet.

Republican

Darren Bailey

Governor of Illinois

Biography

State Senator Darren Bailey, a Republican from downstate Illinois, is challenging Governor Pritzker based on his opposition to pandemic-related restrictions and his advocacy for lower taxes and reduced state spending. A farmer and former schoolteacher, Bailey has positioned himself as a conservative outsider focused on rural issues and government accountability.

Campaign Website

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