2018 Illinois gubernatorial election

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 and the Libertarian Party state convention was held on March 4th.

Incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner ran for re-election to a second term 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.

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

#### Declared

- Jeanne Ives, State Representative
    - Running mate: Richard Morthland, former State Representative
- Bruce Rauner, incumbent Governor
    - Running mate: Evelyn Sanguinetti, incumbent Lieutenant Governor

#### Declared

- Daniel Biss, State Senator
- Running mate: Litesa Wallace, State Representative. Wallace replaced Ramirez-Rosa on September 8, 2017.
- Former running mate: Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Chicago Alderman. Biss removed Ramirez-Rosa from the ticket on September 6, 2017.
- Bob Daiber, Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools
- Running mate: Jonathan W. Todd, social worker
- Tio Hardiman, former director of CeaseFire and candidate for Governor in 2014
- Running mate: Patricia Avery, President and CEO of the Champaign County chapter of the NAACP.
- Chris Kennedy, former Chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees and member of the Kennedy family
- Running mate: Ra Joy, executive director of CHANGE Illinois, a government reform coalition.
- Alex Paterakis, civil engineer and business owner.
- J. B. Pritzker, venture capitalist and philanthropist
- Running mate: Juliana Stratton, State Representative

#### Withdrawn

- Scott Drury, State Representative, withdrew on September 19, 2017. He is running for Illinois Attorney General.
- Former running mate: Alex Hirsch, political operative
- Ameya Pawar, Chicago Alderman, withdrew on October 12, 2017
- Former running mate: Tyrone Coleman, mayor of Cairo, Illinois

### Polling

|style="width:190px;"|Poll source|style="width:210px;"|Date(s) administered|class=small|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Chris Kennedy|style="width:100px;"|J.B. Pritzker|style="width:100px;"|Daniel Biss|style="width:100px;"|Kurt Summers|style="width:100px;"|Tio Hardiman|style="width:100px;"|Bob Daiber|style="width:100px;"|Others|style="width:40px;"|Undecided|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|We Ask America|align=center|October 17–18, 2017|align=center|1,154|align=center|± 3%|align=center|15%|align=center|**39%**|align=center|6%|align=center|–|align=center|1%|align=center|1%|align=center|2%|align=center|**36%**|
|Garin-Hart-Yang|align=center|June 26–29, 2017|align=center|602|align=center|± 4%|align=center|**44%**|align=center|38%|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|**18%**|
|Greenberg Quinlan Rosner|align=center|March 2–6, 2017|align=center|500|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|**44%**|align=center|11%|align=center|–|align=center|7%|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|4%|align=center|**34%**|

#### Winner

- Kash Jackson, Navy Veteran and activist

#### Failed

- Jon Stewart, retired professional wrestler, Republican candidate for the State House in 1998 and Republican candidate for IL-05 in 2009

### Predictions

|Source|Ranking|As of||
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|The Cook Political Report|style="background:#ccf"||September 14, 2018|
|Rothenberg Political Report|style="background:#ccf"||September 14, 2018|
|Sabato's Crystal Ball|style="background:#99f"||September 20, 2018|
|Real Clear Politics|style="background:#99f"||September 19, 2018|
|Daily Kos Elections|style="background:#99f"||September 17, 2018|
|Governing|style="background:#ccf"||September 19, 2018|
|Politico|style="background:#99f"||September 19, 2018|
|Fox News|style="background:#ccf"||September 19, 2018|

### Polling

|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Bruce Rauner (R)|style="width:100px;"|J. B. Pritzker (D)|style="width:100px;"|Kash Jackson (L)|style="width:100px;"|Sam McCann (C)|Other|Undecided||||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Research America Inc.|align=center|September 5–13, 2018|align=center|1,024|align=center|± 3.1%|align=center|27%|align=center|**44%**|align=center|4%|align=center|6%|align=center|0%|align=center|14%|
|Marist College|align=center|August 12–16, 2018|align=center|734|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|30%|align=center|**46%**|align=center|6%|align=center|4%|align=center|2%|align=center|13%|
|Victory Research|align=center|August 12–14, 2018|align=center|1,208|align=center|± 2.8%|align=center|30%|align=center|**41%**|align=center|2%|align=center|9%|align=center|–|align=center|18%|
|(C-McCann)|align=center|July 25–29, 2018|align=center|800|align=center|± 3.5%|align=center|29%|align=center|**42%**|align=center|6%|align=center|11%|align=center|1%|align=center|10%|
|Illinois Public Opinion (D)|align=center|July 12, 2018|align=center|423|align=center|± 5.0%|align=center|26%|align=center|**39%**|align=center|1%|align=center|10%|align=center|–|align=center|23%|
|Victory Research|align=center|June 26–28, 2018|align=center|1,208|align=center|± 2.8%|align=center|30%|align=center|**45%**|align=center|2%|align=center|5%|align=center|–|align=center|18%|
|We Ask America|align=center|June 9–11, 2018|align=center|600|align=center|± 4.0%|align=center|27%|align=center|**36%**|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|26%|align=center|11%|
|Victory Research|align=center|May 22–24, 2018|align=center|1,208|align=center|± 2.8%|align=center|32%|align=center|**47%**|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|
|Victory Research|align=center|April 18–21, 2018|align=center|1,208|align=center|± 2.8%|align=center|31%|align=center|**49%**|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|19%|
|Ogden & Fry|align=center|March 23, 2018|align=center|667|align=center|± 3.9%|align=center|28%|align=center|**46%**|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|26%|
|Southern Illinois University|align=center|February 19–25, 2018|align=center|1,001|align=center|± 3.0%|align=center|35%|align=center|**50%**|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|15%|
|Public Policy Polling (D-Biss)|align=center|February 5–6, 2018|align=center|600|align=center|± 3.3%|align=center|35%|align=center|**48%**|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|17%|
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|30%|align=center|**47%**|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|–|align=center|23%|

|style="background:#cff; font-weight:normal;"|**Hypothetical polling**|
| --- | --- |
|style="border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:white;"||

- with Jeanne Ives and J. B. Pritzker
|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Jeanne Ives (R)|style="width:100px;"|J. B. Pritzker (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|20%|align=center|**40%**|align=center|**40%**|

- with Bruce Rauner and Chris Kennedy
|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Bruce Rauner (R)|style="width:100px;"|Chris Kennedy (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|28%|align=center|**41%**|align=center|31%|
- with Bruce Rauner and Daniel Biss
|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Bruce Rauner (R)|style="width:100px;"|Daniel Biss (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Paul Simon Institute|align=center|February 19–25, 2018|align=center|1,001|align=center|± 3.0%|align=center|34%|align=center|**48%**|align=center|18%|
|Public Policy Polling (D-Biss)|align=center|February 5–6, 2018|align=center|600|align=center|± 3.3%|align=center|30%|align=center|**47%**|align=center|23%|
- with Bruce Rauner and generic Democrat
|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Bruce Rauner (R)|style="width:100px;"|Generic Democrat|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Normington Petts (D-DGA)|align=center|July 18–20, 2017|align=center|600|align=center|± 4.0%|align=center|37%|align=center|**49%**|align=center|14%|
|Anzalone Lizst Grove (D)|align=center|February 15–20, 2017|align=center|800|align=center|± 3.5%|align=center|32%|align=center|**47%**|align=center|21%|
|Normington Petts (D-DGA)|align=center|January 3–5, 2017|align=center|600|align=center|± 4.0%|align=center|35%|align=center|**45%**|align=center|20%|
|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Kyle McCarter (R)|style="width:100px;"|J. B. Pritzker (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|22%|align=center|**42%**|align=center|36%|

|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Kyle McCarter (R)|style="width:100px;"|Chris Kennedy (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|21%|align=center|**42%**|align=center|37%|

|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Dan Proft (R)|style="width:100px;"|J. B. Pritzker (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|25%|align=center|**42%**|align=center|33%|

|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Dan Proft (R)|style="width:100px;"|Chris Kennedy (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|23%|align=center|**43%**|align=center|34%|

|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Bill Brady (R)|style="width:100px;"|J. B. Pritzker (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|26%|align=center|**42%**|align=center|32%|

|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Bill Brady (R)|style="width:100px;"|Chris Kennedy (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|25%|align=center|**42%**|align=center|33%|
- with Jeanne Ives and Chris Kennedy
|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Jeanne Ives (R)|style="width:100px;"|Chris Kennedy (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)|align=center|October 2, 2017|align=center|517|align=center|± 4.4%|align=center|19%|align=center|**38%**|align=center|**43%**|

- with Bruce Rauner and Dick Durbin
|Poll source|Date(s) administered|Sample size|Margin of error|style="width:100px;"|Bruce Rauner (R)|style="width:100px;"|Dick Durbin (D)|Undecided|||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|We Ask America|align=center|July 26, 2016|align=center|824|align=center|± 3.5%|align=center|35%|align=center|**44%**|align=center|22%|

## Infobox (election)

- **election name**: 2018 Illinois gubernatorial election
- **country**: Illinois
- **type**: presidential
- **ongoing**: no
- **previous election**: 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election
- **previous year**: 2014
- **next election**: 2022 Illinois gubernatorial election
- **next year**: 2022
- **turnout**: 56.15%  7.67 percentage point, pp
- **image1**:
- **nominee1**: **J. B. Pritzker**
- **party1**: Democratic Party (United States)
- **running mate1**: **Juliana Stratton**
- **popular vote1**: **2,479,746**
- **percentage1**: **54.5%**
- **image2**:
- **nominee2**: Bruce Rauner
- **running mate2**: Evelyn Sanguinetti
- **party2**: Republican Party (United States)
- **popular vote2**: 1,765,751
- **percentage2**: 38.8%
- **map image**: 2018 Illinois gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
- **map size**: 300px
- **map caption**: County results
**Pritzker:**
**Rauner:**
- **title**: Governor of Illinois, Governor
- **before election**: Bruce Rauner
- **before party**: Republican Party (United States)
- **after election**: J. B. Pritzker
- **after party**: Democratic Party (US)