Politics
Pritzker Taps Former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell as Running Mate
Christian Mitchell, Gov. JB Pritzker's newly named running mate. (Provided)
Gov. JB Pritzker tapped former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell as his running mate Tuesday morning, saying he had the experience needed to serve as lieutenant governor.
Mitchell, who also served three terms in the Illinois House, replaces current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who is running with Pritzker’s support to replace U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who set off a scramble for higher office in April when he announced he would retire and not seek a sixth term.
Pritzker, who made his bid for a third term official five days ago, said in a statement the little-known Mitchell “is a proven leader with deep experience, steady judgment, and an unshakable commitment to the working families of Illinois.”
In a minute and a half launch video, Pritzker said Mitchell was ready to help him “take on Donald Trump.”
Mitchell, a first lieutenant in the Illinois Air National Guard, served as deputy governor during Pritzker’s first term, helping craft the $45 billion capital plan and pushing through a massive bill designed to combat climate change by expanding the availability of clean energy through the General Assembly.
Mitchell said he was honored to serve alongside Pritzker.
“The governor has led with courage and compassion, and together we’ve built a foundation that’s moving Illinois forward,” Mitchell said. “I’m ready to build on that progress —lowering costs, expanding opportunity, and making sure every community has the resources and opportunities they deserve.”
Mitchell worked as a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side before winning a seat representing parts of Bronzeville, Downtown, Gold Coast and Hyde Park in the Illinois House and serving as the first Black executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
After stepping down as deputy governor in 2023, Mitchell served as vice president for civic engagement at the University of Chicago, where he oversaw “business diversity initiatives” designed “to drive equitable growth on the South Side and across the region,” according to the governor’s office.
Pritzker’s decision to run for a third term all but ensures Democrats will avoid a primary fight for their party’s gubernatorial nomination and will keep the 60-year-old billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune focused on Illinois — at least until 2027, when he will have to make a decision about whether to run for president.
That means the selection of Mitchell comes with higher than usual stakes, since Mitchell would replace Pritzker if he wins the 2028 presidential election.
The Illinois Latino Agenda called on Pritzker Monday to select a Latino politician as a running mate.
“A statewide executive office that reflects the communities it serves, includes Latino leadership in decision-making roles, and elevates Latino voices is one that has greater trust from more communities and deepens future civic engagement,” the group said in a statement.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
