Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is once again making headlines, this time for comments that have fueled speculation about his national political ambitions. On August 10, 2025, during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Pritzker was asked directly whether he would rule out a run for president in 2028. His answer? "I can’t rule anything out." That simple phrase, delivered with characteristic directness, has sent ripples through both Illinois politics and the national Democratic landscape.
Pritzker, a Democrat who has served as governor since 2019, was quick to clarify his current focus. "I’m focused on running for reelection as governor of the state of Illinois, and everything that I do really is focused on lifting up the people of my state," he told NBC’s Kristen Welker. Yet, when pressed, he reiterated, "I can’t rule anything out, but what I can rule in is that no matter what decisions I make, and I mean in particular about what I do here in the state of Illinois, is about the people of Illinois. Indeed, any future decisions of mine will always be guided by that."
It’s no secret that Pritzker’s name has been floated among a long list of potential Democratic presidential hopefuls for 2028. According to Patch and the Chicago Tribune, his name is often mentioned alongside other prominent Democrats such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Congressman Ro Khanna, former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The timing of Pritzker’s comments is notable. He kicked off his reelection campaign for a third term as governor on June 26, 2025, telling supporters, "I’m running for reelection to protect our progress and continue solving the problems we face. I love this state, and it’s the honor of my life to serve as your governor — to help lead through the most challenging of times and celebrate the most joyful ones together." His focus, he insists, remains squarely on Illinois — at least for now.
Pritzker’s tenure as governor has been marked by a slate of progressive achievements. He is the richest governor in Illinois history and has overseen the elimination of cash bond, the legalization of recreational marijuana, the codification of abortion rights, and the passage of a $50 billion infrastructure package. These moves have won him praise from Democrats and progressives, but have also drawn criticism from conservatives who see him as emblematic of a leftward shift in state governance.
But it’s not just his policy record that has drawn national attention. Pritzker has become a frequent presence on national television and podcasts, and he’s been a headline speaker at Democratic events across the country. In April 2025, he headlined a major state fundraiser in New Hampshire — a state known for its outsized role in presidential politics. State Democratic leaders are reportedly encouraging other 2028 prospects to make similar visits, according to Patch.
His national profile has also been boosted by his outspoken criticism of the Trump administration. During his February 2025 State of the State address, Pritzker compared President Trump’s new term to Nazi Germany — a statement that drew sharp reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Throughout the 2024 election cycle, Pritzker was considered a possible vice presidential candidate, before Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ultimately joined Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket.
More recently, Pritzker has been at the center of a heated national debate over redistricting. The Republican-led effort to redraw Texas’ congressional map has prompted more than 30 Texas House Democrats to flee to Illinois and other states in an attempt to block the move. Pritzker has welcomed the Texas lawmakers to Illinois, providing them with what he calls a "safe haven." On "Meet the Press," he was unequivocal: "The Texas Democrats that are here are welcome. We’re providing them a safe haven, a place for them to visit and stay, breaking quorum, because they’re heroes that are standing up not just for their own constituents and for the people of Texas and their rights but also for the rights of people all across the country."
Pritzker has sharply criticized the Texas remap, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of federal voting protections for racial and ethnic minorities. "Don’t forget, the map that they put together, it violates the Voting Rights Act, and it violates the Constitution," he said, specifically calling out Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump for their roles in the effort. "He’s attempting to thwart federal law and take away five seats that are in the hands of Black, brown, minority congresspeople and the people that they represent. He’s taking those votes away. He’s violating the Constitution," Pritzker added, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Pritzker’s stance has not gone unchallenged. Illinois Republicans have seized on his presidential aspirations, accusing him of prioritizing his national ambitions over the concerns of Illinois voters. Yet, as of August 2025, the state GOP has failed to field a major challenger to Pritzker or other statewide Democratic officeholders for the upcoming 2026 election. Republican leaders, like Salvi, have criticized Pritzker for what they see as partisan gerrymandering in Illinois, arguing that the state’s map is "one of the most partisan maps in history." Pritzker, for his part, defends the process, noting, "We held public hearings, legislative hearings. People attended them. They spoke out. There was a map that was put out. There were actually changes made to the map and a map was passed and it was done at the end of the census, the decennial census. That’s how it’s done in this country."
Pritzker has also called for Congress to pass fair, independent maps nationwide, arguing that only federal action can truly address the deep-rooted issues of partisan redistricting. "Donald Trump and Republicans are pushing illegal maps that violate the Voting Rights Act," he wrote on Facebook. "Instead, Congress should pass fair, independent maps nationwide. Without that, Democratic states must consider all the options to protect our constitutional republic."
Through it all, Pritzker has remained steadfast in his defense of Democratic values. When asked about his status as a billionaire, he responded, "I’m a Democrat because I believe that everyone deserves healthcare. I’m a Democrat because I believe we’ve got to fund education and have a free public education available to every kid in this country. I’m a Democrat because I believe that we’ve got to stand up for our democracy and against the MAGA Republicans who are literally trying to take away people’s rights all across this country."
As the 2026 Illinois gubernatorial race approaches, and with the 2028 presidential contest already looming on the horizon, all eyes will be on JB Pritzker. Whether he decides to make a run for the White House remains to be seen, but his recent remarks — and his growing national profile — suggest that he isn’t ready to close that door just yet.
