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Question of the day
Friday, Apr 25, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Now that Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has announced she’s running for US Senate, who would you like to see Gov. JB Pritzker choose as his running mate if he runs for reelection? Explain.
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- Saluki24 - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 11:56 am:
Since it will likely be someone from the Chicago area succeeding Dick Durbin in Washington, it would be great to see JB select someone from downstate as his running mate.
Jehan Gordon-Booth and Andy Manar come to mind.
- Almost the Weekend - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 11:58 am:
Andy Manar
Pritzker and his staff are clearly on cruise control and looking at 2028. Manar will do a great job running the state (unofficially) when Pritzker is out campaigning.
- SKI - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:05 pm:
senator Doris Turner or Representative Katie Stuart. I feel like the Governor could use the occasional reminder that rural Illinois exists and is much different than the rest of the State.
- Neef Jr. - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:12 pm:
A couple names come to mind that I think would be good but probably wouldn’t do it. #1 Rep. Sharon Chung, #2 Andy Manar #3 Rep Gordon-Booth. We are losing a downstater from US Senate and a woman of color from statewide office (trading possibly to a different office). The reality is that whoever is chosen MIGHT have to take over the top spot in 2 years and that needs to be a serious part of the consideration. Maybe Mendoza?
- Unionman - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:14 pm:
Brandon Johnson. Get him out of Chicago early into a job he doesn’t need to do anything in. (Of course, the problem is that if JB wins the Presidency in 2028, we are stuck with him for 2 years as Governor).
- Rich Miller - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:16 pm:
===Brandon Johnson===
Unlike yesterday’s question, I am not asking for snark.
- thechampaignlife - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:19 pm:
===I am not asking for snark.===
My bad. I took too long to write my post and missed your comment.
- Precinct Captain - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:27 pm:
Any answer must consider what Pritzker wants to do in 2027 for 2028. If he doesn’t plan on running for president, he can pick a lower-tier governing partner. In other words, he can pick someone who is a good partner but wouldn’t necessarily be the best governor. If he plans on running for president, he will need to pick someone who is best positioned to protect and build on his record as governor and to do so with a large staff exodus (because they’d be following him to Washington if he won). Someone who can hit the ground running.
Being LG would be a big downgrade if you’re Frerichs, Giannoulias, Mendoza, Raoul, but not if you were making a big bet that Pritkzer will be president and you get to slide in to be governor and get an incumbency benefit to run in 2030. I doubt any of them would take that bet though, especially with half of those two wanting to be mayor of Chicago.
The story is similar for members of Congress. With Democrats likely to take the House in 2026 and a number likely to run for U.S. Senate, most would probably stand pat rather than take what would be viewed as a demotion to LG based on the speculative chance of being governor come Jan. 2029.
So who else would come to mind? Who has experience and respect across a lot of constituencies (the legislature, business leaders, labor, Dem/liberal groups, is okay with Republicans/conservatives in the sense that you aren’t putting in someone who is gonna backfire on your administration or campaign a la Ramirez-Rosa with the Biss campaign in 2018, etc.)?
People that come to mind from the House and Senate that are currently serving and seem like people more poised to want to move up:
Kam Buckner
Bob Morgan
Elgie Sims
Katie Stuart
Members of Congress:
Nikki Budzinski
Tammy Duckworth
Robin Kelly
Raja Krisnamoorthi
Lauren Underwood
Then there would be wildcards such as business, civic, or labor leaders. I actually think based on all the congressional musical chairs, you’re (currently) more likely to get someone from this bunch than anywhere else, but I’d personally like to see someone from the legislature because there’s gonna be a lot rockier road during the Trump administration and someone who understand how legislators think and why they act will be invaluable.
- TheInvisibleMan - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:27 pm:
Jordan Abudayyeh
I miss her wit being regularly in the public sphere.
- P. - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:31 pm:
===I feel like the Governor could use the occasional reminder that rural Illinois exists and is much different than the rest of the State.===
The guy is constantly doing public events downstate and in rural communities where he isn’t appreciated.
- Son of Poshard - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:42 pm:
Some People: “It should be a veteran downstater who can step in and run state government on Day One.”
Same People: “Anyone but Mike Frerichs.”
Was it the move to Chicago or something else?
Anyway, I will throw Nikki Budzinski’s name out there just because I think she is one of the best campaigners out there, an extremely good leader with great political instincts, and its high time we have a woman governor.
- Lurker - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:45 pm:
It would never happen but since you asked who I’d like to see, Adam Kinzinger
- Give Me A Break - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:46 pm:
Andy Manar, knows the legislative process inside and out, knows the executive side of government from budgeting to operations, knows and understands how downstate voters think and has Dem bloodline.
How he plays in Chicago remains to be seen, I fear a Glen Poshard reaction.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:47 pm:
===It would never happen===
Because he lives in Texas. Move on.
- System Reboot - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 12:55 pm:
Nikki Budzinski would be an interesting choice, both representing downstate Illinois while having experience in the Governor’s office through her work increasing the minimum wage in Illinois. She would enter the role having full understanding of state + federal dynamics, and could step into the Governor’s role on Day 1 should Governor Pritzker become President Pritzker.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:00 pm:
I think Sen. Karina Villa ought to at least be in the mix. Fresh face, smart, strong presence, excellent speaker who can handle questions well.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:01 pm:
Given his possible presidential campaign, the choice of a new Lt Governor could be consequential if the national political stars align around Pritzker. Not sure who he should pick, but given the stakes, it needs to be someone who could step up easily.
Manar makes some sense there. I don’t think a sitting MOC would trade down for this job, but it’s possible. Lisa Hernandez could be a good choice.
- Watchdog - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:05 pm:
Andy Manar would be perfect. He is very smart, has great political instincts and relates well to common folk, especially downstaters. Most highly intelligent people are not good people persons.
- Amalia - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:05 pm:
someone not from the Chicago area. I’m hoping JB runs again. but the scenario Ja’Mal Green hates could happen too …JB runs for President, Stratton for Senate, Rahm for Gov, Alexi for Chicago Mayor
- Rich Miller - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:08 pm:
===the scenario Ja’Mal Green hates===
Who?
- rey mysteri0 - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:22 pm:
I think Mayor Kelly Burke would be popular on the campaign statewide. Sen. Ventura should be mentioned at the very least. She’s tireless on the campaign trail.
- Dotnonymous x - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:26 pm:
I doubt anyone could do the job more efficiently than Andy Manar.
- Missy - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:34 pm:
== How he (Andy Manar) plays in Chicago ==
My bet is that Andy will do as well as Sen Durbin did with Chicagoans.
- Is It June Yet? - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:45 pm:
I second Karina Villa, she’s one of the hardest working members of the GA. Also maybe Lisa Hernandez but she may be better where she is.
- Torco Sign - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:49 pm:
Who helps JB in a 2028 primary? A Latina. Lisa Hernandez checks that box and has already proven she will go along with him in Springfield.
- John Lopez - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:53 pm:
FWIW Given Governor Pritzker is all-in for Julianna Stratton for U.S. Senate, he can use his LG pick to prevent multiple Black women in the Senate primary, so Congresswomen Robin Kelly or Lauren Underwood would be his best choices. Kelly will be 70 by November of 2026 while Underwood would be 40.
Since passing the torch is reason Durbin retiring, Underwood LG choice would be passing the Illinois ginernatorial torch to a Millennial.
Kelly would be a good gesture to show the Pritzker-Durbin proxy war officially over.
Gov will choose an LG to benefit Stratton by removing a potential Democratic rival in the U.S. Senate primary.
- Independent - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:55 pm:
I don’t agree that Lt. Gov. would be a step down for statewide office holders under current circumstances. If a Democrat wins in ‘28 even if it’s not Pritzker he would be a strong candidate for someone’s Cabinet. This is potentially a highly consequential Lt Gov selection and the behind the scenes jockeying will reflect this.
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 1:58 pm:
=who would you like to see Gov. JB Pritzker choose as his running mate=
Not my team, but I would say that Frerichs would be a good choice. Financially astute, brings in central Illinois support, scandal-free ( outside of his taxing retirement gaffe). Has an appeal to moderates as he stood his ground on Illinois buying Israeli bonds against pressure from progressives.
- DownstateMile - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 2:18 pm:
Rep. Katie Stuart or Rep. Natalie Manley.
Stuart is incredibly smart, down to earth, and has won a swing district over and over by being a workhorse. She understands K-12 and higher ed probably better than any other legislator, and does a great job balancing the moderate/progressive line in Springfield.
Manley would also be an excellent choice. She understands Springfield, is nearly universally respected by both Democrats and Republicans, and she is passionate about her legislative work, something that you can see whenever she talks about issues. She also has a life story that many can relate to and can win over nearly any audience with her charm. She would be valuable to any ticket.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 2:18 pm:
I don’t know many of the people named other than fleeting mentions in the media, but it seems like there haven’t been a lot of Hispanic statewide office holders and this might be a good op for one.
- Peoples Republic of Oak Park - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 2:56 pm:
Who is good for it and who would get picked by Pritzker are two separate criteria.
Andy Manar I think fits both of those but I don’t see- rightly or wrongly- a two straight white guy ticket ever in the Democratic Party.
I agree with the who would be good for it criteria already stated.
I agree with Rich, I am surprised that Karina Villa wasn’t mentioned sooner, but not as surprised as Margaret Croke not being mentioned. She is a staunch governor ally, ambitious with her legislative agenda, whip smart, hardworking and likable.