2018 Illinois gubernatorial election

Election results:
     J. B. Pritzker (Democratic)
Votes: 2,382,536 (54.2%)
     Governor Bruce Rauner (Republican)
Votes: 1,723,015 (39.2%)

The 2018 Illinois gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the Governor of Illinois. The Democratic and Republican primary elections took place on March 20, 2018[1] and the Libertarian Party state convention was held on March 4th.[2]

Incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner ran for re-election to a second term[3][4] against Democrat J. B. Pritzker and Libertarian Kash Jackson.

In March 2018, the primary results concluded with J. B. Pritzker winning the Democratic nomination with Rauner winning the Republican nomination. Meanwhile, Kash Jackson won the Libertarian Party nomination during a state convention in Bloomington, IL.[2]

Pritzker defeated incumbent Rauner in the general election by a landslide.

Republican Party

Candidates

Declared

Primary results

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bruce Rauner (incumbent) 329,995 51.7
Republican Jeanne Ives 308,791 48.3
Total votes 639,804 100

Democratic Party

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Chris
Kennedy
J.B.
Pritzker
Daniel
Biss
Kurt
Summers
Tio
Hardiman
Bob
Daiber
Others Undecided
We Ask America October 17–18, 2017 1,154 ± 3% 15% 39% 6% 1% 1% 2% 36%
Garin-Hart-Yang June 26–29, 2017 602 ± 4% 44% 38% 18%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner March 2–6, 2017 500 ± 4.4% 44% 11% 7% 4% 34%

Primary results

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Daniel Biss 204,043 26.44%
Democratic Bob Daiber 7,825 1.01%
Democratic Chris Kennedy 190,208 24.64%
Democratic Robert Marshall 8,251 1.07%
Democratic J. B. Pritzker 348,101 45.10%
Democratic Tio Hardiman 13,391 1.73%
Total votes 771,819 100%

Libertarian Party

Candidates

Winner

Failed

  • Jon Stewart, retired professional wrestler, Republican candidate for the State House in 1998 and Republican candidate for IL-05 in 2009[23] [25]

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[26] Lean D September 14, 2018
Rothenberg Political Report[27] Lean D September 14, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball[28] Likely D September 20, 2018
Real Clear Politics[29] Likely D September 19, 2018
Daily Kos Elections[30] Likely D September 17, 2018
Governing[31] Lean D September 19, 2018
Politico[32] Likely D September 19, 2018
Fox News[33] Lean D September 19, 2018

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Bruce
Rauner (R)
J. B.
Pritzker (D)
Kash
Jackson (L)
Sam
McCann (C)
Other Undecided
Research America Inc. September 5–13, 2018 1,024 ± 3.1% 27% 44% 4% 6% 0% 14%
Marist College August 12–16, 2018 734 ± 4.4% 30% 46% 6% 4% 2% 13%
Victory Research August 12–14, 2018 1,208 ± 2.8% 30% 41% 2% 9% 18%
(C-McCann) July 25–29, 2018 800 ± 3.5% 29% 42% 6% 11% 1% 10%
Illinois Public Opinion (D) July 12, 2018 423 ± 5.0% 26% 39% 1% 10% 23%
Victory Research June 26–28, 2018 1,208 ± 2.8% 30% 45% 2% 5% 18%
We Ask America June 9–11, 2018 600 ± 4.0% 27% 36% 26% 11%
Victory Research May 22–24, 2018 1,208 ± 2.8% 32% 47%
Victory Research April 18–21, 2018 1,208 ± 2.8% 31% 49% 19%
Ogden & Fry March 23, 2018 667 ± 3.9% 28% 46% 26%
Southern Illinois University Archived 2018-02-28 at the Wayback Machine February 19–25, 2018 1,001 ± 3.0% 35% 50% 15%
Public Policy Polling (D-Biss) February 5–6, 2018 600 ± 3.3% 35% 48% 17%
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 30% 47% 23%
with Jeanne Ives and J. B. Pritzker
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Jeanne
Ives (R)
J. B.
Pritzker (D)
Undecided
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 20% 40% 40%
with Bruce Rauner and Chris Kennedy
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Bruce
Rauner (R)
Chris
Kennedy (D)
Undecided
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 28% 41% 31%
with Bruce Rauner and Daniel Biss
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Bruce
Rauner (R)
Daniel
Biss (D)
Undecided
Paul Simon Institute Archived 2018-02-28 at the Wayback Machine February 19–25, 2018 1,001 ± 3.0% 34% 48% 18%
Public Policy Polling (D-Biss) February 5–6, 2018 600 ± 3.3% 30% 47% 23%
with Bruce Rauner and generic Democrat
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Bruce
Rauner (R)
Generic
Democrat
Undecided
Normington Petts (D-DGA) July 18–20, 2017 600 ± 4.0% 37% 49% 14%
Anzalone Lizst Grove (D) February 15–20, 2017 800 ± 3.5% 32% 47% 21%
Normington Petts (D-DGA) January 3–5, 2017 600 ± 4.0% 35% 45% 20%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Kyle
McCarter (R)
J. B.
Pritzker (D)
Undecided
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 22% 42% 36%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Kyle
McCarter (R)
Chris
Kennedy (D)
Undecided
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 21% 42% 37%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Dan
Proft (R)
J. B.
Pritzker (D)
Undecided
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 25% 42% 33%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Dan
Proft (R)
Chris
Kennedy (D)
Undecided
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 23% 43% 34%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Bill
Brady (R)
J. B.
Pritzker (D)
Undecided
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 26% 42% 32%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Bill
Brady (R)
Chris
Kennedy (D)
Undecided
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 25% 42% 33%
with Jeanne Ives and Chris Kennedy
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Jeanne
Ives (R)
Chris
Kennedy (D)
Undecided
Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC) Archived 2018-03-15 at the Wayback Machine October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 19% 38% 43%
with Bruce Rauner and Dick Durbin
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Bruce
Rauner (R)
Dick
Durbin (D)
Undecided
We Ask America July 26, 2016 824 ± 3.5% 35% 44% 22%

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References

  1. The Green Papers: Illinois 2018 General Election
  2. 2.0 2.1 jevelsizer@pantagraph.com, Julia Evelsizer. "Libertarian party selects governor candidate in Bloomington". pantagraph.com.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Rick Pearson on Twitter: #ILGov Rauner tells Tribune editorial board he will run again. Says he's said it before, but don't recall that". Twitter. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Rauner quietly confirms re-election bid". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  5. Hinz, Greg. "Did Rauner just uncork a challenge from the right?", Crain's Chicago Business, September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  6. Miller, Rich (October 28, 2017). It’s an Ives-Morthland ticket. https://capitolfax.com/2017/10/28/its-an-ives-morthland-ticket/. Retrieved October 28, 2017. 
  7. Pearson, Rick (20 March 2017). "State Sen. Daniel Biss announces Democratic bid for governor". Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-daniel-biss-illinois-governor-race-met-0320-20170319-story.html. Retrieved 20 March 2017. 
  8. Miller, Rich (September 8, 2017). Biss formally announces Litesa Wallace as new running mate. https://capitolfax.com/2017/09/08/biss-formally-announces-litesa-wallace-as-new-running-mate/. Retrieved September 8, 2017. 
  9. Byrne, John (August 31, 2017). "Biss selects freshman Chicago alderman as running mate". Chicago Tribune.
  10. Pearson, Rick (September 6, 2017). "Dem gov hopeful Biss drops running mate Ramirez-Rosa over Israel views". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  11. Koziatek, Mike (February 10, 2017). Madison County school superintendent to run for governor. Belleville, Illinois. http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article131961239.html. Retrieved February 10, 2017. 
  12. Miller, Rich (October 13, 2017). Daiber names social worker as running mate. Springfield, Illinois. https://capitolfax.com/2017/10/13/daiber-names-social-worker-as-running-mate/. Retrieved October 13, 2017. 
  13. Vlahos, Nick (June 5, 2017). "Nick in the AM: Tio Hardiman to run again for Illinois governor". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  14. Miller, Rich (August 9, 2017). Hardiman selects running mate. Springfield, Illinois. https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/09/hardiman-selects-running-mate/. Retrieved August 10, 2017. 
  15. Sneed, Michael (February 8, 2017). "Chris Kennedy Announces Run For Governor". Chicago Sun-Times. http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chris-kennedy-announces-run-for-governor/. Retrieved February 8, 2017. 
  16. Will Connors (February 8, 2017). "Chris Kennedy, Son of RFK, Running for Illinois Governor". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  17. Sfondeles, Tina. "Kennedy chooses running mate: Ra Joy, who lost son to gun violence", Chicago Sun-Times, September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  18. Schuba, Tom (January 31, 2017). "Meet the 29-Year-Old Suburban Democrat Running for Governor". NBC 5 Chicago. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  19. Pearson, Rick (April 6, 2017). "J.B. Pritzker joins Illinois governor race, facing big Democratic field to take on Rauner". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  20. Miller, Rich (August 9, 2017). Pritzker to pick Rep. Stratton. Springfield, Illinois. https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/09/pritzker-to-pick-rep-stratton/. Retrieved August 10, 2017. 
  21. Geiger, Kim (19 September 2017). Drury drops governor bid to run for attorney general. Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-scott-drury-attorney-general-campaign-met-20170919-story.html. Retrieved 19 September 2017. 
  22. Miller, Rich (October 12, 2017). "Pawar ends his campaign, cites money". NBC 5 Chicago. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  23. 23.0 23.1 Janssen, Kim (June 21, 2017). "Former pro-wrestler with ties to Kellyanne Conway seeks Illinois governor nod". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  24. "Navy Vet On Cross-Country Mission For Parental Equality". 4 September 2016.
  25. Aquarianagrarian (8 March 2017). "The Aquarian Agrarian: Libertarian Party of Chicago Vets Illinois Governor Candidates".
  26. "2018 Governor Race ratings | The Cook Political Report". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  27. "Gubernatorial Ratings | Inside Elections". insideelections.com. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  28. "2018 Governor". Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball. University of Virginia Center for Politics. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
  29. "RealClearPolitics - 2018 Election Maps - 2018 Governor Races". Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  30. "Daily Kos Elections 2018 race ratings". Daily Kos. June 5, 2018.
  31. "Tracking the 2018 Governors Races". Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  32. "Who wins 2018? Predictions for Every House & Senate Election". Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  33. "2018 Senate Power Rankings". Retrieved July 10, 2018.