While participating in a fireside chat at Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network convention, Pritzker claimed his priority is running for reelection.
“First of all, I’m running for reelection as governor right now,” he told the audience of mostly African American attendees gathered at the Sheraton New York Times Square hotel. “Everybody from Illinois, can I count on your vote?”
“I’ve been involved every presidential election in one fashion or another, probably since, in fact, I know since I was an adult and able to vote,” he continued. “I’ve been involved in some fashion or another, and I’m going to be more involved than ever before in 2028 because we can’t lose.”
Pritzker then attacked President Donald Trump, a frequent foe. The two have feuded over Trump’s insistence on sending federal law enforcement officers to Chicago after the National Guard took over Washington.
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“The bar has been set real low by the guy in office today, the most corrupt president in my life,” he said. “I mean, that’s saying something, because I was alive during Richard Nixon.”
Several potential 2028 contenders are attending the annual gathering, which gives them the opportunity to address thousands of civil rights leaders, media figures, and advocates working to advance issues important to Black and Brown communities.
Democratic contenders and addressees include: Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD), Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY), Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Pritzker, for his part, claimed Democrats had a “pretty good bench.”
“My answer is, I don’t know what I’ll be doing after, I hope I win reelection after, but I can tell you this, I’m going to fight like hell to elect a Democrat,” Priztker said about his future.
Sharpton noted that the governor had not ruled out a 2028 presidential run.
“Reverend, whatever I decide to do … I start with what’s going to be best for the people of the state of Illinois,” Pritzker responded again, dodging on his future.
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Despite not clearing up his future, Priztker was adamant that Trump won’t be on the 2028 ballot.
“Trump isn’t gonna be on the ballot in 2028. I know he’d like to be, but he’s not gonna be on the ballot in 2028, he is not,” he added. “So that is not who we’re running against in 2028.”
