Who is Making Moves in 2026?
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias
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While speculation continues to swirl around the political futures of Governor JB Pritzker and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, some statewide Democrats appear to be positioning themselves for a potential promotion next year.
Pritzker has yet to announce if he’ll seek a third term next year or prepare for a run for President in 2028. Durbin, meanwhile, is weighing seeking his sixth term in the Senate.
One statewide elected official who isn’t planning a run for U.S. Senate appears to be Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Raoul earlier this month ruled out running for Senate if Durbin stepped away.
“I do not want to go to Washington. I want to stay here,” Raoul told a luncheon audience at the City Club of Chicago. “And this is no knock on Sen. Durbin or Sen. (Tammy) Duckworth. I truly believe what I do on a day-to-day basis (as attorney general) has more impact than what I could do as U.S. senator.”
Raoul raised around $84,000 last quarter and has around $1.2 million on hand. There’s an old saying in politics that “AG” stands for “Aspiring Governor,” but it isn’t clear if Raoul would take a look at the top job if Pritzker decides not to run for a third term.
The most prominent fundraiser of the statewide elected officials (other than Pritzker, who has unlimited personal wealth to buoy his campaign fund) is that of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.
Giannoulias has been mum publicly on his plans for the future after returning to the statewide political scene in 2022. He was elected State Treasurer in 2006 at the age of 30 and lost a race for U.S. Senate in 2010.
Giannoulias raised around $527,000 last quarter and has $3.7 million cash on hand, the most of any statewide elected official.
There is major speculation in Democratic circles that Giannoulias is eyeing a run for Chicago Mayor in 2027. He could be joined in that endeavor by State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who previously ran for Mayor in 2019.
Mendoza raised around $323,000 last quarter and has around $1.3 million on hand.
“It really seems to be an arms race between them,” one top Democrat said. “Maybe Alexi [Giannoulias] is trying to show Susana [Mendoza] just how much money he can raise to scare her out of running for Mayor.”
If Pritzker chooses not to seek re-election, Mendoza could also eye the Governor’s mansion. She was the highest vote getter of any Democrat statewide in 2022.
That also leaves State Treasurer Mike Frerichs keeping his options open for 2026. Frerichs has served two terms as Treasurer, but isn’t raising money at an exceptional clip.
He raised around $10,000 last quarter and has around $1.1 million in the bank.
Frerichs told me on the radio last month he intends to be on the ballot next year, but wasn’t committed to what office he may seek.
“I’m definitely not done serving the public,” Frerichs said. “I love my job very much but other people haven’t made decisions and we’ll wait and see what’s open and where I think I can make the greatest impact. I’m not retiring anytime soon.”
If Pritzker, Durbin, or both, choose to step away from the scene in 2026, it is certain the statewide elected Democrats will make quick arrangements to try to move up.
