Who is winning the governor race in Illinois? Live results

Key Points:

• The 2026 Illinois governor race features a rematch between Democratic incumbent JB Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey, who previously competed in 2022, with Pritzker winning by nearly 13 points.
• Pritzker, while cautious, expressed optimism about Democratic turnout among young people, Black, Latino voters, and working families, predicting Democratic gains in the U.S. House and Senate.
• Bailey aims to flip the governor's office red for the first time since 2019, highlighting dissatisfaction with Pritzker's eight years in office and promoting policies like suspending the gas tax and rolling back toll increases.
• Bailey has received former President Donald Trump's endorsement and is appealing to voters who may have never supported a Republican before, emphasizing the need for change.
• Pritzker's campaign points to his record on affordability, including nearly doubling the minimum wage and eliminating the state grocery tax, as evidence of his commitment to improving residents' lives.