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.

Republican Party

Candidates
Declared
 Jeanne Ives, State RepresentativeHinz, Greg. "Did Rauner just uncork a challenge from the right?", Crain's Chicago Business, September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
 Running mate: Richard Morthland, former State Representative
 Bruce Rauner, incumbent Governor
 Running mate: Evelyn Sanguinetti, incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Primary results

Democratic Party

Candidates
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.Sfondeles, Tina. "Kennedy chooses running mate: Ra Joy, who lost son to gun violence ", Chicago Sun-Times, September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
 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Withdrawn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
 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChrisKennedy J.B.Pritzker DanielBiss KurtSummers TioHardiman BobDaiber 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

Libertarian Party

Candidates
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 

General election

 Predictions 
SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportSeptember 14, 2018Rothenberg Political ReportSeptember 14, 2018Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 20, 2018 Real Clear Politics September 19, 2018Daily Kos ElectionsSeptember 17, 2018 Governing September 19, 2018 PoliticoSeptember 19, 2018Fox NewsSeptember 19, 2018

Polling
 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BruceRauner (R) J. B.Pritzker (D) KashJackson (L) SamMcCann (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  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)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 30% 47% – – – 23%

Hypothetical polling

with Jeanne Ives and J. B. Pritzker
 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JeanneIves (R) J. B.Pritzker (D) Undecided Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 20% 40% 40%

with Bruce Rauner and Chris Kennedy
 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BruceRauner (R) ChrisKennedy (D) Undecided Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 28% 41% 31%
with Bruce Rauner and Daniel Biss
 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BruceRauner (R) DanielBiss (D) Undecided Paul Simon Institute  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 Samplesize Marginof error BruceRauner (R) GenericDemocrat 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 Samplesize Marginof error KyleMcCarter (R) J. B.Pritzker (D) Undecided Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 22% 42% 36%

 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error KyleMcCarter (R) ChrisKennedy (D) Undecided Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 21% 42% 37%

 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DanProft (R) J. B.Pritzker (D) Undecided Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 25% 42% 33%

 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DanProft (R) ChrisKennedy (D) Undecided Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 23% 43% 34%

 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BillBrady (R) J. B.Pritzker (D) Undecided Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 26% 42% 32%

 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BillBrady (R) ChrisKennedy (D) Undecided Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 25% 42% 33%
with Jeanne Ives and Chris Kennedy
 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JeanneIves (R) ChrisKennedy (D) Undecided Ogden & Fry (R-Liberty Principles PAC)  October 2, 2017 517 ± 4.4% 19% 38% 43%

with Bruce Rauner and Dick Durbin
 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BruceRauner (R) DickDurbin (D) Undecided We Ask America  July 26, 2016 824 ± 3.5% 35% 44% 22%

References

Category:2018 elections in the United States
Category:2018 in Illinois
Category:Gubernatorial elections in the United States