Illinois Governor: Pritzker Set for Historic Third Term
County-level voting patterns shifted in five districts, but the incumbent retains the majority to extend his tenure.
By Alina Campbell ·
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is projected to win a third term in the 2026 midterm election. This victory would make him the first Democrat in state history to serve three consecutive terms. The outcome mirrors his 2022 race, where he defeated Darren Bailey.
While the final tally appears similar to four years ago, the distribution of votes changed at the local level. Early counts indicate that five counties flipped their support from Republican to Democratic. These districts are Winnebago, McHenry, Sangamon, Jackson, and Alexander.
Conversely, one county moved in the opposite direction. Whiteside County, which previously voted for Pritzker, appeared to switch its support to Bailey. These shifts in local allegiances did not alter the statewide margin sufficient to change the winner.
Pritzker enters this second four-year term with a notable political profile. As a billionaire and heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, he is frequently discussed as a potential candidate for the presidency in 2028. His background in business distinguishes him from many state leaders.
The race concluded with the same two candidates facing off as in 2022. Bailey remains the primary Republican opponent in a state that has trended Democratic in recent cycles. The county-level data suggests a slight realignment in suburban and rural voting blocks.
Results were still being tallied at the time of reporting. The Associated Press provided the comparative data for the 2022 election results. The 2026 figures reflect the current projection based on available vote counts.
