Will Pritzker run for president in 2028?
Pritzker says he’ll be “very involved” in the 2028 election for president.
Even though he’s running for a third term as Illinois governor, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is spending a lot of time and money on national politics.
Some think it’s because he plans to run for president in 2028.
In national efforts lately, Pritzker has:
- Launched a $20 million PAC focused on the 2026 midterm elections.
- Called on Congress to regulate AI.
- Traveled to Texas to protest the Republican midterm convention.
Pritzker also promised to be “very involved” in the 2028 presidential election.
Many of Pritzker’s 2025 interviews were with national outlets
Using 2025 numbers, 80% of Pritzker’s 99 interviews were with national media outlets, podcasters, influencers or TV entertainment hosts, Capital News Illinois reported in January. That suggests a desire to move beyond Illinois, which he seems to be neglecting in favor of national status.
“I think we were able to put his voice in front of people, in front of places and spaces that got a lot more pickup and notice because of this broader vacuum that existed in Democratic politics,” Matt Hill, the governor’s deputy chief of staff for communications, told the news service.
In 2024, Chicago hosted the Democratic National Convention, and all eyes were on Pritzker. He spent $5.6 million from his own pocket to ensure the DNC would be in his state, giving him the opportunity to address the entire Democratic Party.
Pritzker had been vetted as a possible vice-presidential running mate with Kamala Harris. Though he wasn’t picked, his speech at the DNC gave him a marquee moment on the national stage.