Mendrick Chooses Aurora Businessman as Running Mate
Dr. Robert Renteria, speaking at a Kane County GOP meeting. He’ll be announced as DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick’s running mate later today.
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The first Republican in the race for Governor in 2026 has chosen his running mate.
The Illinoize first reported Friday DuPage County Sheriff Jim Mendrick had chosen Aurora businessman and author Dr. Robert Renteria as his running mate. Renteria lists his current occupation as Chairman of The Barrio Foundation, a takeoff of his motivational book From the Barrio to the Board Room. He also identifies himself online as a “motivational speaker and author.”
The campaign formally announced Renteria’s selection later Friday.
Renteria introduced Mendrick at a GOP function last week.
"Dr. Renteria works outside the correctional institutions to accomplish what I attempt for inmates inside, to give them inspiration and hope for rehabilitation by helping them optimize success through resources like educational opportunity and mentorship," Mendrick said in the release.
"Sheriff Mendrick has done an admirable job with our law enforcement, and we are both more interested in prevention over intervention when it comes to reducing crime and recidivism,” Renteria said in the release.
Renteria has given money to both Republicans and Democrats, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and former State Representative Linda Chapa La Via.
Mendrick (who was on the radio with me Thursday) is attempting to “hit the ground running while the rest of the field takes time to even get in the race,” one GOP operative said Thursday, calling he early selection of a running mate a “potentially smart move.”
