Mendrick Announces Bid For Governor Of Illinois

DUPAGE COUNTY — DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick will not be seeking a third term. Instead, he plans to campaign for governor of Illinois in 2026.

Mendrick shared the announcement on social media Thursday, writing that "[t]his was a very hard decision to make."

"My family and I have decided that we want our State back," Mendrick wrote, citing the Safe-T Act and "legislation changes that have been imposed on Illinois from the governor's office are state laws that directly conflict with existing federal laws."

He writes, "The safety act stops us from rehabilitating people in our jails and the sanctuary city laws force federal authorities into our neighborhoods because these state laws deny them access to these criminals while they are in custody within a correctional facility. This is not right."

In the announcement, Mendrick vows to "bring State laws back into alignment with law enforcement principles that make rational sense and will once again create an environment in our homes that will make all of us feel safe. An environment where citizens will once again apply to be police officers."

"Our culture is being eliminated by senseless laws created by our current government that persecutes cops and empowers criminals," Mendrick writes. "I’m here to stop the bleed. To do this we must have strong leaders with actual law enforcement experience."

Mendrick was sworn in as DuPage County's 34th Sheriff in 2018.

He has endorsed Undersheriff Eddie Moore for DuPage County Sheriff after his term ends.