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* Politico…
Even if Pritzker announces he’ll go for a third term — and all indications are that he will — we hear he wouldn’t name a running mate right away.
But that hasn’t stopped the buzz about who might step up to the post that Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has held since taking office with Pritzker in 2018. Now that she’s running for U.S. Senate in 2026, she wouldn’t be able to be on the governor’s ticket, too. So, Pritzker would have to name a new running mate.
Names that have popped up: Deputy Gov. Andy Manar, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell and Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia.
They all bring something to the table: Manar is the budget maestro in the governor’s office. And the central Illinois native is someone Pritzker trusts to carry out his vision for the state should he leave for D.C. Gordon-Booth was a House budgeteer. Mitchell is a former state lawmaker who served during Pritzker’s first term, overseeing public safety, energy and infrastructure issues. And Valencia is a City Hall veteran who, like Stratton, is a good retail politician.
Not naming a running mate the day he announces (assuming he does announce) means he’ll get another press pop when he does make the announcement down the road. Smart.
* Picking Manar would mean two White males at the top of the ticket. Probably not a good look for someone with national ambitions. He (Manar) also didn’t seem enthused about the idea.
Gordon-Booth has strong ties to Pritzker’s top people and a compelling story to tell.
Mitchell was a Pritzker fave, works for the University of Chicago and joined the Illinois National Guard last year, but he had super-sharp elbows and would need to do some fence-mending (if he hasn’t started already).
* Valencia has gotten herself into more trouble with the CityKey program. Click here for part of the oppo from her last statewide campaign. It ain’t pretty. Neither is the new issue…
After U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement subpoenaed the city of Chicago for the personal information in a program used by immigrants, city officials said they have not turned anything over to the feds.
ICE subpoenaed the city for records of applicants in the CityKey ID program, which is a Chicago city clerk’s office program used by immigrants and includes personal information, a mayor’s office spokesperson said Friday.
And…
Asked whether the clerk’s office intends to clarify its messaging to online applicants about if their records are safe, [Valencia spokesperson Diana Martinez] said, “We actually don’t guarantee that.”
“That’s been our message throughout, especially once we launched the online platform,” Martinez said. “We always want to encourage people to go in person if they have any concerns around their identity, whether it’s undocumented people, whether it’s domestic violence survivors or any other population.”
The online disclaimers don’t mention those specific groups, however, or the potential risks of their data being stored. The CityKey FAQ section only warns, “Yes, the information submitted to the online platform is retained according to the City’s retention schedule.”
And…
“Listen, I’ve always been honest and transparent and led with integrity,” Valencia said. “I know there’s a lot of fear out there, so I want to be very clear that we’re going to fight giving over any data to the federal government. … No data was given over to ICE, period, zero, for the CityKey.”
But that’s the exact scenario that Forest Gregg, a data privacy advocate, warned the city against when it sought community and expert input on how to safely implement CityKey before its debut.
“I was shocked,” Gregg said. “This seemed to me to be the utmost carelessness. This is the kind of information that you really don’t want to depend upon only legal protections to protect. … I really feel it’s a betrayal of the people who the clerk asked to trust them.”
It’s difficult to argue with the “utmost carelessness” remark.
* But the governor backed her for secretary of state in the 2022 Democratic primary and they still seemed to be close as of last month, before the latest story broke…
I've got my @ChicagoCityKey on me, do you?
Proud to be one of the nearly 150,000 Chicagoans alongside @ChiCityClerk with one during the seventh anniversary of this incredible program that's eliminated barriers and increased access to all Chicago has to offer. pic.twitter.com/AwreiRlfv3
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) May 19, 2025
* Anyway, your thoughts on all this?
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 11:33 am
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It’ll be a Latina other than Valencia. Wants a Latina for Nevada (already has Stratton for South Carolina), doesn’t need or want Valencia’s baggage since he’ll already deal with Chicago-style politics criticism when going national.
Comment by Torco Sign Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 11:44 am
I think having a downstate candidate would be great. However, JB is surely thinking of legacy and who should succeed him, especially if he happens to be elected President. As much as I would personally love a Downstater, all the conventional wisdom says that’s unlikely.
Comment by TheSouthern Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 11:49 am
Given his bona fides of having a multiracial administration, I’d go for the most qualified person, even if that person is a white male. Not like he will have a significant opponent.
Comment by Jibba Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 11:50 am
Politico’s list felt like 2 truths and a lie, with Manar mixed in because he’ll land somewhere when the music stops. A lot of us think Anna Valencia has political talent but she hasn’t solved the Reyahd paradox and I can’t imagine JB wants in on that oppo, regardless of the inevitability of his re elect.
I also think there are other names that are on the list that didn’t make Politico today.
Comment by That Train's Never Late Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 11:57 am
I don’t follow individuals as closely as most here, but I’m a big fan of Manar for his leadership on the transformative evidence-based funding issue.
But if his heart’s not in it…
Comment by Proud Papa Bear Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 11:59 am
===I also think there are other names that are on the list===
I don’t think there’s actually a list yet. This is mostly just idle summertime chatter.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:00 pm
I don’t have a favorable view of Anna Valencia due to her husband’s lobbying activities. The other issue is I don’t see her having the experience needed to be a governor.
Comment by City Guy Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:01 pm
Andy for governor. He will make Illinois respected again.
Comment by Macon Deliberations Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:01 pm
=== I don’t see her having the experience needed to be a governor===
So, you were staunchly against the choice of Stratton? For all her problems, Valencia does have executive experience.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:02 pm
Andy is a great trains on-time executive. Sadly, I agree with the political assessment that naming him to the ticket is not the Governor’s best play. There are other offices his abilities would be better suited for, if he wants to put his name on a ballot again.
JGB was a viable candidate in the past and has been underutilized by the Party ever since. She is coming up on her 20, brings tremendous “downstate” experience, to say nothing of her own journeys. If LtG is how she wants to apply herself, then she would be a great pick.
Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:06 pm
If Valencia is selected as LG it’s another example of Democrats checking a Box, and not off accomplishment.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:14 pm
I think Rep.Lisa Hernandez will be in play when this shakes out.
Comment by Glass half full Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:32 pm
It would be awesome for JB to say “I’m not going to have a running mate” or “I will have a running mate who will take a $1 salary, and have no staff. Should I leave, they have agreed to call for a new election as quickly as possible.”
Lt Gov is a useless position and a complete waste of money.
Comment by Old IL Dude Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:36 pm
Another person the Governor should highly consider is Raven DeVaughn, his Director of CMS. She has personality, can work a room, has a grasp on state government, real knowledge of procurement and is approachable. She’s not a career politician, but able to stand her ground.
Comment by Oy! Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:50 pm
Have I missed Valencia’s name being floated? This is the first I’m seeing of it.
She’d be a disastrous choice with her apparent lack of ethics.
Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:56 pm
**It would be awesome for JB to say “I’m not going to have a running mate” or “I will have a running mate who will take a $1 salary, and have no staff. Should I leave, they have agreed to call for a new election as quickly as possible.”**
So you think it would be awesome for JB to say he isn’t going to follow the law?
Sigh.
Comment by JoeMaddon Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 12:58 pm
Valencia is a self agrandizing hack. i’m a strong supporter of JB, but i have never understood his support of this woman. he should as far away from herr as possible.
Comment by paul w, chicago Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 1:02 pm
Valencia is a self agrandizing hack. i’m a strong supporter of JB, but i have never understood his support of this woman. he should run as far away from herr as possible.
Comment by paul w, chicago Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 1:04 pm
Re: Gordon-Booth
Illinois has had one Governor from Peoria in its history, Thomas Ford, he is primarily remembered for being a protagonist in Joseph Smith’s assassination and the departure of the Mormons from Nauvoo.
It would be nice to potentially finally have another.
Comment by Graduated College Student Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 1:06 pm
I also don’t understand why folks are highlighting Valencia’s political skills.
She had the endorsement of one of if not the most popular politician in the State, who was the outgoing incumbent for the office she was seeking, and didn’t feature him in a single commercial to close out the campaign.
That’s just malpractice.
On other candidates, if the Governor is considering running for higher office, another box that is going to need to be checked is a candidate showing an ability to win back voters the party has been losing over the years, which includes voters from rural areas. So I don’t know if a white guy from downstate in totally out of the question. In addition to that, it would probably make sense to have someone who can mind the store while he’s campaigning across the country. It also makes sense to have someone that the Governor is truly comfortable with succeeding him.
So…all that being said…Liz Brown?
Comment by Juice Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 1:12 pm
(Sorry, should have said person from downstate instead of guy.)
Comment by Juice Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 1:13 pm
Valencia ran a terrible campaign for SOS, and her husband also has significant baggage. While the governor’s people tried to help and had some of their trusted lieutenants around the race to help with damage control, nothing could prevent a lazy candidate and family from wreaking havoc.
Comment by LeofromDolton Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 1:16 pm
- her husband also has significant baggage. -
You can’t let her off the hook, she was the one holding the purse strings. I’d forgotten how blatant she was about it.
Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 1:30 pm
Meanwhile, Pat Quinn is pacing in front of a payphone like Tony Minero in the sequel to Saturday night fever, saying “ring!”
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 2:06 pm
Can we please have a woman? IL has never had a female governor, and, if JB has presidential ambitions, there is a chance this person could ascend to governor. It’s starting to get embarrassing. We are in the company of states like Mississippi, Florida, and West Virgina.
Comment by CG Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 2:16 pm
Are we still playing the demographic ticket-balancing game? If Manar is the best, then let’s not disqualify him for the horrid sin of carrying a Y chromosome.
Comment by DEI DIED Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 2:31 pm
===If Manar is the best===
Making a lot of assumptions there.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 2:38 pm
== This is mostly just idle summertime chatter. ==
Allow me to add to that. I’ve heard some talk about Christy George. Lots of behind the scenes government experience. And she deftly handled the public engagement and communications game during the convention.
Comment by TNR Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 2:43 pm
===about Christy George===
She would be a good pick. But, two Chicagoans.
===Liz Brown?===
Couldn’t take the pay cut.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 2:47 pm
In terms of actual influence, LG is a tremendous step down from DG for budget and economy or leading Intersect Illinois. I can’t see Manar or George leaving their current roles for what’s essentially a vanity gig. They’re both far too hands on for a job like LG.
Comment by Spleenie Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 2:48 pm
===didn’t feature him in a single commercial to close out the campaign===
By that point, he may not have wanted to be in an ad.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 2:49 pm
=== LG is a tremendous step down===
Not if Pritzker overcomes the odds and is elected president. Then it’s a big step up. Also, he can’t be governor forever.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 2:51 pm
This has actually got me excited on Friday afternoon in June. The pick will be someone who can sustain the state the way he has it right now with 11 credit upgrades and 9 balanced budgets. That whittles it down to an extremely small list of folks that are trusted - Manar, C Mitchell, J Gordon-Booth, Sims. Those are the ones that can step in and get the job done. It would never be a Chicago politico that does not have statehouse experience. It has to be someone who understands the mechanics of Springfield. It’s important to the Governor to have a real partner with no learning curve.
Comment by CrazyvilleUSA Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 3:03 pm
Excuse me 9 credit upgrades and 7 balanced budgets.
Comment by CrazyvilleUSA Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 3:04 pm
Also LG is not a STEP DOWN for anyone! Every job is what you make it.. especially if you are #2 in the constitutional succession.
Comment by CrazyvilleUSA Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 3:09 pm
=Also LG is not a STEP DOWN for anyone! Every job is what you make it.. especially if you are #2 in the constitutional succession.=
I agree. Just because David O’Neill thought it was boring 4 1/2 decades ago doesn’t mean you can’t make the LG office exciting with specific specialty duties (e.g., Main Street program especially under Wood and Quinn, Veterans advocacy under LG Quinn, and who can forget the Sheila Simon Banjo Concert Series).
Comment by Leatherneck Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 3:17 pm
==Lt Gov is a useless position and a complete waste of money.== It was useful in 2009.
To the post: Valencia has too much baggage, Manar is neither interested nor diverse, Mitchell’s elbows left a lot of bruises that still haven’t healed. Gordon-Booth would be an interesting candidate. Good resume, downstater, diverse.
Comment by SAP Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 3:24 pm
= It was useful in 2009. =
Jesse White would have been an exceptional governor.
Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 3:28 pm
This would require a shift from Congress back to state office, but what about Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski? She is from Downstate, has labor bona fides, and has Pritzker connections as an advisor and transition director. Haven’t seen any mention, but throwing it out there.
Comment by DuPage Dad Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 3:33 pm
Pat Quinn didn’t even have a Lt Gov after taking over for Blago, then IL had the whole Scott Lee Cohen situation. Did Corinne Wood, Sheila Simon, or Evelyn Sanguinetti accomplish anything? Does LG Stratton have a serious role in legislation?
The path seems to go from IL SOS => Governor. If JB said he’d mothball the office, or downsize it to a figurehead position with a salary of 1 buck, that’d be pretty cool.
Comment by Old IL Dude Friday, Jun 20, 25 @ 3:46 pm