Pritzker Announces New Running Mate In Bid For 3rd Term

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Just days after Gov. JB Pritzker announced he would run for a third term, he revealed his running mate will be former deputy governor and state Rep. Christian Mitchell.

In a short video released Tuesday Pritzker's campaign, Mitchell highlighted his upbringing and how it instilled values that emphasize his commitment to public service. Mitchell highlighted the efforts of his mother, who was a nurse for 38 years at Rush University Medical Center, and his grandfather, a U.S. Army veteran, to ensure he values family care and hard work.

"That's why I wanted to go into public service, because as difficult as life can be, I believe it can be a little bit easier if you've got leaders in government who care about working families, making life more affordable, making health care more accessible," Mitchell said. "I am so excited to be joining JB in this moment, because it's more critical than ever."

Meet Christian.

Whether it’s transforming our clean energy future, rebuilding our infrastructure, or keeping our communities safe, he has been a force behind so much of our progress. I couldn’t ask for a better partner to continue delivering results for the people of Illinois. pic.twitter.com/dKiz3EKS3Z
— JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) July 1, 2025

Mitchell represented parts of Chicago's South Side from 2013 to 2019 and served as deputy governor in Pritzker's administration from 2019 to 2023. As deputy governor, Mitchell was a lead strategist on energy issues, including for the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.

After his time in Pritzker's administration, Mitchell has worked at the University of Chicago, where he's currently the vice president for civic engagement. Last year, Pritzker appointed him to the board of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier.

In 2018, Mitchell served as the first Black executive director of the Illinois Democratic Party.

"As a state representative, as the Deputy Governor of this state, Christian Mitchell has gotten so much done for people. I know when we've got to take on Donald Trump and overcome the challenges he's bringing to our state, that Christian Mitchell is up for that fight," Pritzker said.

Current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has announced she is running for the U.S. Senate, endorsed by Pritzker, after Sen. Dick Durbin announced his retirement in April.

"Working alongside Christian, I know he's a great partner focused on delivering for Illinois and as Lieutenant Governor, he'll continue to build on our record of getting big things done for people across our state," Stratton said.

Gov. Pritzker announced his intention to run for a third term on Thursday.

Pritzker, 60, was first elected in 2018, handily beating Bruce Rauner, a Republican, by double digits after serving just one term. He went on to beat downstate Republican challenger Darren Bailey to secure a second term in 2022.

The richest governor in state history, Pritzker has overseen passage progressive measures as eliminating cash bond, legalizing recreational marijuana, codifying abortion rights and a $50 billion infrastructure package – much to the consternation of conservative voters. He also led the state’s response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

“Illinois is standing at the center of the fight — the fight to make life more affordable, the fight to protect our freedoms, the fight for common sense,” Pritzker said in a video announcing his reelection bid.