Illinois Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker has presided over a fiscal crisis in his state even as residents have been fleeing to other jurisdictions.

Yet despite his questionable record, Pritzker has made clear that he intends to mount his third gubernatorial run. 

Governor touts record

According to Breitbart, the Illinois governor announced his intention to run for another term in a video which he posted to social media on Thursday.

"These days, Illinois is standing at the center of the fight: the fight to make life more affordable, the fight to protect our freedoms, the fight for common sense," Pritzker said in a statement.

I’m running for re-election to protect our progress and continue solving the problems we face. Let’s keep Illinois moving forward. https://t.co/nSZk3xqsWG pic.twitter.com/JD4LAm0gKv

— JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) June 26, 2025

"We don’t just talk about problems. In Illinois, we solve them. Because we know government ought to stand up for working families and be a force for good, not a weapon of revenge,"

GOP blasts track record

News of Pritzker's decision was met with derision from the Illinois Republican Party, who slammed the governor's time in office as having "been nothing short of a total failure."

"He's prioritized illegal immigrants over Illinois families, hiked taxes, and rammed through the largest, most bloated budget in state history," the party said in a statement posted to social media.

"He has used and abused the fine people of Illinois, allowing heavy handed government to meddle in the lives and safety of ordinary Illinoisans," it complained.

"These last nearly eight years under his governance merits firing not rehiring. While businesses and families flee, Pritzker sees Illinois as nothing more than a stepping stone for the White House," the statement went on to add.

Speculation builds for 2028

The state GOP's last comment was a reference to the fact that Pritzker has been regarded by some as a potential contender for the Democratic Party's 2028 nomination.

Ray Buckley serves as chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, and he told The Hill in May that the Illinois governor is an effective voice for the party.

"He not only takes on Trump, he also lays out an effective message that we support our values, we stand up for our values, that we speak for those who need a voice, we don’t leave anybody behind," Buckley said of the Illinois governor.

Meanwhile, Breitbart noted that Pritzker has been an intense critic of President Donald Trump, going so far as to compare him with Adolf Hitler.