Antioch Mayor Considers Run For Governor

ANTIOCH, IL — Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner is considering running for Illinois governor as a Republican candidate in 2026.

“I’m just being honest — I’m feeling this out,” Gartner announced Sunday on his Facebook page. “But here’s the truth: our Republican Party hasn’t put forward a credible, electable candidate to challenge Governor Pritzker this election cycle. And if we don’t offer something better, Illinois will continue to fall behind. I’m not a millionaire or a billionaire — but maybe that’s exactly what we need: someone who understands the struggles of everyday people and isn’t beholden to special interests.”

Gartner expects to make his final decision on whether to run by the end of September, he said.

“If I can gather 10,000 signatures and raise $500,000 by then, I’m all in,” he said. “I’ll fight harder than anyone to save Illinois. This isn’t about me — it’s about our families, our communities, and our future.”

So far, two GOP candidates have already announced their candidacy ahead of the March 2026 elections: James Mendrick, who is currently the DuPage County Sheriff, and Joseph Severino, a Lake Forest businessman.

More via Gartner's Facebook page