Question of the day
Tuesday, Apr 9, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Gov. Pritzker was asked by a reporter today if he is interested in running for governor again during an unrelated press conference…
You asked me this question right before I announced that I was running last time and I was trying not to give away what my answer would be.
This time I honestly don’t have an answer for you. We’re a year and a quarter into this term. And I, as you know, I love the job and we’re working very hard and we’ve had some real success, so I’m enjoying it. I’ll stay where I am for the time being.
* The Question: Do you think he’ll run again? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
- very old soil - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:27 am:
Or at least I hope so.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:28 am:
I hope so but I think he could be on to a federal cabinet spot.
- Steve - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:30 am:
I think Governor Pritzker will run for a third term. A clear majority of Illinois voters like what’s he’s doing. His wealth makes him a strong candidate . Plus, what Democrat could beat him? He’s also a strong presidential or vice-presidential candidate if the opportunity arises.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:31 am:
Best Governor in a long time and he’s earned it. Could also be a launching pad for national office, but that’s always a long shot no matter who you are.
- SOIL M - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:33 am:
No. He will be looking for something in Washington but I am not going to guess what that is
- Lurker - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:35 am:
No; he will want to do things that lead to more national recognition.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:36 am:
Yes, and halfway through his third term announce for President.
- Amurica - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:36 am:
Yes if nothing else to get in the same list of more than two term Illinois governors.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:37 am:
He will run for a third term in 2026, but will make a run for president in 2028.
- SAP - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:37 am:
I think Pritzker considers himself to be presidential timber, but he’s not going to start an intramural battle.
Voted yes, but I could see him running for U.S. Senate if a vacancy appears as a presidential resume builder.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:38 am:
I mean I hate to lost him. He’s been the best governor in my lifetime. But he’d make a great president.
- New Day - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:40 am:
He’s running. Is there somewhere I can place a bet on this? I’d put a lot of money on this proposition. And yea, he is dropping hints “I love my job…” He said it in his state of the state and keeps repeating it. I’d take him at his word.
- Lakeview Looker - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:43 am:
I just don’t see it. According to my own cursory research, the last (and only?) person elected to 3 terms as Governor was William Stratton. Being an executive of a state is a taxing job (no pun intended) and I don’t think Pritzker wants to hold office until he’s in his late 60s.
The only reason I could see him run again is so that he can springboard directly into a 2028 presidential campaign. But I don’t think that’s a good enough reason (in Pritzker’s mind) to run again–he has enough cash and connections to be able to make a solid run for the nom even if he’s out of office.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:45 am:
Gifted leader. Lucky to have him
- bluey - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:47 am:
He’s going to run. If you’ve seen the man out and about you can tell he genuinely enjoys this job and he’s good at it. We’re lucky to have him.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 11:58 am:
I voted yes. I think he’s done a good job and I hope he continues to serve as governor.
I have no opinion on the 2028 presidential question. Too far in the future to worry about.
- Sabreman - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:06 pm:
there is no window for JB to be president. there is no window for him to be remembered in the private sector. so my hypothesis is that JB will plan to be a life long governor. The only way he will be remembered is if he achieves some absurd feat like IL governor for 4-6 terms. Men like this are always concerned with their legacy, to me this seems like the best way for him to achieve long term notoriety.
- Frumpy White Guy - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:10 pm:
To date JB has donated 335,000,000 to his campaign fund. It’s hard to imaging that he would walk away after that kind of investment.
- FDR Democrat - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:15 pm:
Actually Jim Thompson was elected to 4 terms, his first was only 2 years to align the governors office with the non presidential year election cycle
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:16 pm:
===According to my own cursory research, the last (and only?) person elected to 3 terms as Governor was William Stratton.===
JIm Thompson: elected in 1976, 1978, 1982, and 1986.
- Give Us Barabbas - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:17 pm:
Best governor since Thompson; he’s been very good for Illinois (even though the bar was low) so I voted yes
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:19 pm:
There’s really no reason for him not to run for a third term. There’s little doubt that Democrats will continue to hold both the House and Senate after the 2026 elections, and he gains little to nothing by going to DC. The only thing that might change his mind is if Senator Dick Durbin decides to throw in the towel. But retiring the number 2 Democrat in the Senate would be a bigger loss to Illinois than JB Pritzker ascending to the US Senate. Moreover, who would be the natural successor to Pritzker…Raoul, Stratton, Giannoulias? Right now, Democrats seem to have relative stability across the board. No reason to upset that.
- Lakeview Looker - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:21 pm:
===JIm Thompson: elected in 1976, 1978, 1982, and 1986.===
Thank you for that–don’t know how I missed it. I cannot imagine being in office for that long wow.
- Former State Worker - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:31 pm:
I sure hope so.
- The Truth - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:33 pm:
He’ll run and win again in 2026. Any presidential aspirations for 2028 or beyond will depend upon what happens this November.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:35 pm:
Lakeview Looker: you’re welcome!
- BigLou - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:39 pm:
He needs something to do until there is not an incumbent Dem president to run against.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:43 pm:
I think JB is still. enjoying the job, so he’ll run again. Plus he’s young enough to wait out the next President, be it Trump or Biden, neither of whom would be eligible to run 4 years from now. Even then, conditions would have to right.
My guess is he will continue to run for Governor until it’s no longer fun or he thinks he’s no longer making a difference.
I’ll go out on a limb and say he may surpass Thompson’s tenure.
- Vote Quimby - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:44 pm:
I think he will run for third term in 2026, and then assess what the 2028 presidential run would be. Somehow I don’t see him running for Senate… I think he likes being in charge and there he would be starting at the bottom of the ladder. If he runs for another office, I assume it would be POTUS.
- levivotedforjudy - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:51 pm:
I can totally see him run again. He can focus on his strengths now like pushing IL as an EV hub, quantum computing leader, med-tech/life sciences hub instead of the crisis management of the pandemic. He seems to enjoy the job. He can still run for POTUS too. Not sure if he would want a cabinet position. He seems to like being the big dog. I can’t envision a 4th term though.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:55 pm:
It was a tough call, but I don’t think he will run for a third term.
First, JB can just as easily campaign for president as a former governor, maybe easier.
More important, JB is 59, which means that if he were elected President in 2028 was successful, served two terms, he would be 73 when he finished his presidency.
I don’t see a guy who had so few years with his parents giving up all of those years with his wife, children, and probably grandkids.
A lot of people around him with their own agendas for getting back to DC and into the White House will be egging him on to engineer his life for their interest. He should tell them to find another ride.
Also, if Biden wins, the White House will probably flip in 2028.
If Trump wins, he is likely to run for re-election in 2028 and win.
2028 is probably not a great year for Democrats either way.
- illinifan - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 12:59 pm:
I hope so. He knows there is so much to do yet to get Illinois on stable footing and the good news is he cares. He wants to get the job done which will place him on a good footing to seek national office.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:00 pm:
A likely run for a third term. As others have said, he seems to really like the job, and he’s good at it.
- Vote Quimby - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:06 pm:
==If Trump wins, he is likely to run for re-election in 2028 and win==
So you are saying the US will amend the Constitution to allow this?
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:10 pm:
Best governor of my lifetime. I hope he runs again but not sure I would want to keep going if I had his wealth. He also may want to run for Senate if Durbin retires or want time off before running for prez in 2028.
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:13 pm:
I voted yes. I think if he does have presidential aspirations in 2028, he’ll need the gubernatorial incumbency to run on. Plus, if Stratton remains on the ticket (and I don’t see a reason why she wouldn’t), and JB resigns to run for president or even wins, then Pritzker would be partly responsible for the first woman governor and first African American governor in Illinois.
- Moon - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:20 pm:
Pritzker wants to be president. He is a relatively young man and therefore will eye Durbin’s seat. Get known in DC then go for the “brass ring”.
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:21 pm:
=If Trump wins, he is likely to run for re-election in 2028 and win.=
Trump can’t run for reelection in 2028 if he wins in 2024. He’ll have served two terms.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:21 pm:
===therefore will eye Durbin’s seat===
I think he’d be bored to tears and frustrated out of his mind in the US Senate.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:27 pm:
Thinking he will run again and be beaten either in a primary battle or in the General Election.
- clec dcn - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:32 pm:
I just don’t think so. if Biden wins and the country survives that or even other things, he might go for the big job.
- Watchful eye. - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:36 pm:
Not with Darren Bailey waiting in the wings and Jeanne Ives spreading the word she interested. (Snark)
- Mr Ed - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:49 pm:
I agree that he will not run for the Senate. He is running for re-election in 26 and is running for President in 2028. Trump and Biden both are ineligible to run in 28.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:50 pm:
=Thinking he will run again and be beaten either in a primary battle or in the General Election.=
Maybe if he ran in Indiana, but not here. He will do what he wants to do, JB has proven to be his own man. I hope he runs, I hope he stays in Illinois. He has been our best governor in my lifetime.
- H-W - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:53 pm:
I voted no, although it is clearly just a guess.
I get the impression Mr. Pritzker is the sort of person who would understand the value of term limits for citizens, as well as for members of a political party or organization. Hording access to top leadership positions tends to create group think and institutional inabilities to address new circumstances. Growth always requires change, and that is perhaps no more obviously apparent than in the realm of politics. The rise of Trump and Rauner is largely the result of a failure to innovate and adapt among GOP Republicans. At the federal level, the Democrats seem heading to a similar reckoning, in their failure to allow younger leaders to lead
In any case, I sense Mr. Pritzker understands the need for innovation and change at the level of state government, and am led to believe he will not run again.
- The Truth - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 1:56 pm:
If Trump wins, he is likely to run for re-election in 2028 and win.
Soooooo the country ends?
- JoanP - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 2:00 pm:
= Trump and Biden both are ineligible to run in 28. =
Whichever of them loses this year would absolutely be eligible to run in 2028.
- Techie - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 2:12 pm:
I am guessing he will run for a third term, and then will run for President in 2028 as long as there’s no clear issue with such a run.
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 2:34 pm:
Voted No …on a hunch.
- Proud Sucker - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 2:38 pm:
Voted yes. It is clear he knows what a positive impact he has as our governor and might have his eye on DGA chair in the next few years. Agree that he doesn’t go to the senate and sees how the Presidential field develops for 2028.
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 2:40 pm:
- I am guessing he will run for a third term, and then will run for President in 2028 as long as there’s - …an election?
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 2:58 pm:
== Whichever of them loses this year would absolutely be eligible to run in 2028. ==
True. But I’m assuming it would be an open office since one would be ineligible due to term limits and other would be rejected by the public due to age.
- Phineas - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 3:55 pm:
Voted yes. Expect a lot of discussion about top of nationalticket or #2 and he’ll have a greater opportunity for both as a sitting gov.
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 4:00 pm:
I voted yes as he is doing a good job and so as long as he wants it, keep it up!
- Aaron B - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 5:43 pm:
Yes please! He has been great for the state and I think he’ll have the support of progressives as long as he wants it. It wouldn’t surprise me if he attempted to become Biden’s successor in 2028 though.
- Bigtwich - Tuesday, Apr 9, 24 @ 6:53 pm:
William Stratton was only elected to two terms.