Pritzker picks administration insider as third term running mate

Five days after announcing his re-election bid, Governor JB Pritzker has chosen Christian Mitchell to be his running mate.

By Dave Dahl/Will Stevenson

Capital City Now

July 1, 2025 9:56 am

ContributedJB Pritzker campaign via YouTube (screenshot)While many names continue to be floated as potential candidates for Governor, only DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick is the only announced candidate.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (Capital City Now) – Five days after announcing his re-election bid, Governor JB Pritzker has chosen Christian Mitchell to be his running mate.

“If you’ve got leaders in government who care about working families, making life more affordable, making health care more accessible…,” said Mitchell.

“…As a state representative, as the deputy governor of this state, Christian Mitchell has gotten so much done for people,” said Pritzker, in a campaign video. “I know when we’ve got to take on Donald Trump and overcome the challenges he’s bringing to our state, that Christian Mitchell is up for that fight.”

Mitchell now serves as a lawyer in the Illinois Air National Guard and as a vice president at the University of Chicago, replacing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who is not seeking another term, choosing instead to run for U.S, Senate.

“When JB was first running for office, he promised that he was going to think big, and that is exactly what he’s done as our Governor,” said Mitchell. “I am so excited to be joining JB in this moment, because it’s more critical than ever. We’ve made a lot of progress in the last eight years, but we have to protect that progress. And, together, we will always stand up for Illinois.”

While many names continue to be floated as potential candidates for Governor, only DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick is the only announced candidate so far on the Republican side for 2026.