Gov. Pritzker announces reelection campaign for 3rd term: 'Keep Illinois moving forward'
'I suited up to face the carnival barkers and doom grifters. I handed out optimism, like a shot of Malört,' gov says of record
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Gov. JB Pritzker announced he will run for reelection on Thursday.
Pritzker announced his new campaign in a video titled "Keep Illinois Moving Forward."
"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. I'm ready for the fight ahead. So, whether you're at the center of Illinois, or anywhere else, join me. Let's keep Illinois moving forward," Pritzker said.
He is the first Illinois governor since the late former Republican Gov. Jim Thompson to seek a third consecutive term.
The governor later spoke at Chicago's Grand Crossing Park Field House on the South Side. It's the same location where he announces his first run for governor in April 2017.
"I knew I was an unlikely candidate. I knew I had a lot to prove; I knew that there were some standing in that crowd, looking at me, 'this guy?'" Pritzker said.
The 60-year-old billionaire said he had a lot to prove after taking the reins from then-Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who Pritzker says governed with relentless pessimism and failed to balance budgets and pay bills
"I suited up to face the carnival barkers and doom grifters. I handed out optimism, like a shot of Malört," Pritzker said.
Over the past couple of months, there has been a lot of speculation over whether the governor might run for president.
On Thursday, he dodged questions about whether he plans to run for even higher office.
"I'm running for governor of Illinois: That is four more years," Pritzker said.
He used the announcement to tout his progressive record and slam the policies of President Donald Trump, while never mentioning him by name.
"While it is certainly tempting to lay all of it at the feet of the megalomaniac narcissist in the White House and his malignant clown car in Congress, the hard truth is that we all share some of the blame," Pritzker said. "Everything is too damn expensive, from groceries, to concert tickets, to mortgages, to cars, to health care."
Pritzker said he is running for reelection to protect the progress he made during the past two terms, including protecting abortion access, an assaults weapon ban, supporting LGBTQ and immigrant rights, balanced budgets and several credit rating upgrades.
So far, the only known Republican who announced he is challenging Pritzker is DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick.
Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi released the following statement:
"Illinois Democrats in Springfield proved today that they want to control our children and take away parent's rights. These draconian policies are anti-family and will insert the government into parents' day-to-day lives. Let's be clear - this fight isn't over and we will continue to do everything possible to protect our homeschool families."
Republicans say Pritzker's budgets are bloated, and Illinois taxes are some of the highest in the country.
"I believe that we should be firing him, and I'd be happy if he finished his term after the eight-year train wreck," Salvi said. "I would suggest that he's the worst governor in the state of Illinois, to think that he even wants to become the president is is absolutely beyond me."
"I don't think they (Republicans) are best spokespersons for how to lead with responsibility," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said.
Pritzker's next campaign will include a new running mate. Stratton is stepping down to run for Senate.
"They've got to be somebody who could do the job when they, you know, if something happens and they had to take over," Pritzker said.
ABC7 Chicago first reported on the announcement on Tuesday.
Last month, Pritzker told ABC7 he would make his decision by July in an exclusive interview with ABC7's Craig Wall.
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