It really seems like Gov. JB Pritzker is running to be the next President of the United States:

[applegrove]

It really seems like Gov. JB Pritzker is running to be the next President of the United States.

Today he introduced the idea of a 'Project 2029', calling for restoring democracy, prosecution of Trump officials who have broken laws, universal healthcare, and an affordable minimum wage.

[GoCubsGo]

1. I would happily vote for him,

should he get the nomination. (I'll wait to see who all is running before I commit myself to a candidate in the primaries.)

[msongs]

2. nice to see a plan but are we supposed to be hating on billionaires these days?

[BComplex]

7. We're not necessarily the hating party.

There are definitely a bunch of billionaires that deserve to be hated for what they have done, but there are also a lot of really stupid maga poor folks that deserve the same.

[Dr. T]

12. There are good billionaires and then

there are bad billionaires.

If the guy has a metric shit-ton of money and he's fighting the good fight, I'm all for it. With money comes influence. Perhaps he will buy CBS and return it to its former glory.

[tinrobot]

15. I hate billionaires who think being rich means they know how to govern.

That usually never works out. Government is very different from business.

As for Pritzker, he has a solid track record as governor. He's obviously put in the work, so I'll give him a chance.

[Attilatheblond]

38. I'm a Newsom fan, but doubt he would carry the 'Fly Over' part of the nation

Pritzker is a good man and I like him a lot too. I see he has humor, like Newsom, but relies more on being a solid, rational, no nonsense powerhouse. Thinking he would carry areas Newsom won't. And he looks the part: Big Shoulders that can carry the load, like so many of the union workers the US has always counted on to get it done.

Either chap will have my whole hearted support, along with any of the up & comers who are bright and have fight in 'em. Our bench is deep and if we survive the fascist mayhem of Trump's backers, we will set the ship of state to rights again.

I have to keep faith in us all.

[Attilatheblond]

39. I hate voters who think being rich means businessmen know how to govern.

The business of business and the business of governance are two different things. Government cannot succeed if run like a business. Government is to serve, not be served. The business fans just don't get that reality.

[ShazzieB]

68. Pritzker is a major exception to that rule.

As a resident of Illinois, I've seen him in action through 2 terms as governor, and i could not be more pleased. The Republican he replaced as governor was exactly the type you describe. The difference between him and Pritzker has been like night and day.

Running a business is indeed TOTALLY different from running a government, but Pritzker has proven he knows how the job is done.

[Attilatheblond]

69. Yep, some businessment know government has to be run differently

and some of them actually have empathy and work for the greater good.

[Trueblue Texan]

21. What's the use of hating anyone?

I don't hold it against anyone for being wealthy. But I don't believe it benefits a nation to have billionaires.

[IbogaProject]

54. We judge not by their net worth in money

But by the contact of their character. Newsome's social media posts are fun but he isn't our best cannidate for prez. He was caught partying at a winery while California was on Lockdown. Reguardless of his policies the other side's swift boat ads could cost us swing votes. We have to have a blowout, as manipulation is easier when the election is close according to Karl Rove.

[whathehell]

55. No, just the selfish ones who fight against

paying anything near their fair share of taxes.

[ShazzieB]

67. Hating on billionaires is fine, but we need to hate on the RIGHT billionaires.

You know, the ones that want to take control of the givernment and ice out all the regular folks from having any say in anything. The ones that don't care if the rest of us live or die. JB Pritzker is not one of THOSE billionaires. As a resident of Illinois, I've seen the guy in action through 2 terms as governor, and is not like that AT ALL. He's smart and hard working, and best of all, he really CARES about regular people.

I would be sorry to lose him as governor, but I think he'd be a fabulous potus. He would be not just a breath but a HUGE BLAST of fresh air after Trump.

[RandySF]

80. A billionaire is not inherently evil just as a blue collar worker is not inherently virtuous.

I’ve spent the last 18 years on DU hammering the point that economics do not determine everything. Trump would be the same asshole if he was a factory worker.

[Diamond_Dog]

3. I certainly can't argue with any of that!

[bucolic_frolic]

4. I wouldn't write off his chances, hard-politick might capture the day

We need a real throw-back to patriotic eras ... Pritzker is the real deal

[BComplex]

5. I think he would make an outstanding president!

I have nothing but respect for the way he has been handling some truly awful situations brought on by the republicans.

[everyonematters]

6. Nobody owns him. He is definitely independently wealthy.

[MustLoveBeagles]

8. I wouldn't mind if he ran

He'd be missed here in Illinois.

[MichMan]

9. What does "an affordable minimum wage" mean?

[Trueblue Texan]

22. It means different things in different places. nt

[mopinko]

36. currently $15 in il, tipped workers get 60% of that.

$16.60 in chgo.

[Renew Deal]

10. Are we really going to replace one billionaire with another?

Last edited Sat Mar 21, 2026, 06:22 PM - Edit history (1)

It’s good news that both Newsom and Pritzger have universal healthcare on their agenda.

[Susan Calvin]

13. Well, I'd take FDR right now. nt

[moonscape]

16. I'm not sure how the adding of

an e to Newsom started, but you’re hardly alone. A lot of people do it.

It’s Newsom.

[Renew Deal]

20. It could be autocorrect

Because I don’t think I typed that

[DFW]

23. Probably an inadvertent crossover from spending too much time in areas where Republicanese is widely used.

Sort of like people who use an apostrophe to form a plural--it's standard Republicanese, but I doubt that most Democrats who do that do so deliberately.

I don't think it is a deliberate jab, such as using "Democrat" as an adjective.

[DFW]

18. Are we really going to make the top criterion a person's net worth?

Universal health care is a LOT more important than whether or not the nominee can afford his own. If it's the nominee's position that everyone should have access to health care, I don't care if he has more money than Elon Musk. What matters most to me is the extent to which the person in the Oval Office cares about the 349,999,000 Americans who don't.

[mopinko]

35. he's a good man who has spent a ton of him money doing good things.

he didnt get the money screwing ppl. he inherited it, but he had to fight for it cuz the cousins tried to cut him out of the old man’s will. and they made it running hotels. not building bombs, building deadly tech, or ripping ppl off.
jb has done very little to grow his fortune. he has about half as much as his cousins. the investments he’s made have added greatly to the common good here in chgo. he built a tech incubator that created lots and lots of jobs. he’s funded research and programs in early childhood education.

the family has always given back. chgo is full of hospital wings, schools and public spaces w the prizker name. col jennifer prizker’s construction company does stellar rehabs of historic bldgs, and built a military library that is amazing and inclusive.

he’s been a champion of women’s and lgbt rights since he was very a young man.

find something real to hate him for, i dare u.

[themaguffin]

51. Aren't we voting for the person who we think has the best qualification, policies & approach etc?

I don't want a billionaire president, but if he's bringing what we need, then whatever.
Whoever it is can't be anyone who runs as if things are normal or in any way isn't going to be aggressive to fix things and hold people accountable. Is that him? I don't know, but at least he's been going in that direction.

[RandySF]

79. It's not the money, it's what you stand for.

Trump would be the same asshole if he worked a blue-collar job.

[bluestarone]

11. Would be a good president. What will happen is

The right will come out with lie after lie after lie just before election time. We need to get it in our head to VOTE for the Democrat in VERY election, Don't let any reason pop up to not vote!! (that's what they are counting on. VOTE VOTE VOTE for the Democrat wherever you live!!

[ShazamIam]

14. i would have no problem voting for Pritzker if he is the Democratic nominee.

[flashman13]

17. Not to put a too fine a point on it, but that is the bare minumum for any Dem candidate for any office.

[Bobstandard]

24. Agree! It's a litmus test

“Will you direct your DOJ to vigorously pursue suspected lawbreakers from the previous administration?”

Saying “I intend to re-establish the independence of the DOJ,” just won’t do. I want a candidate who is willing to use the new standards for the DOJ to go after the enemies of democracy.

[colorado_ufo]

19. Smart, terrific man, and he would make a great president, but I do not think he would win.

He is Jewish, and after the involvement of the US with Israel in this unlawful war, I think it will take this country a decade before it is comfortable with a Jewish president. I am old enough to remember the great hesitation many people had with electing John Kennedy, a Catholic, for fear his policies would be influenced by Rome.

We absolutely positively need to take back the White House, and if it means a white, Protestant male strong Democrat, so be it! We have a tremendous amount of damage to repair in this country, and that needs to be the first priority. Higher aspirations are for the future.

[tazcat]

25. Geez, can't we just get rid of religion? At least in politics. Separation of church and state. Damn.

[a kennedy]

27. Now that could be a rallying cry as well as like, TAX THE RICH!!!!!

[mucifer]

42. I agree. He's my Governor and he's great. But

I don’t think he could win.

I know there would be some on the left who wouldn’t vote for a Jewish billionaire even though he comes out strongly against Netanyahu and the Gaza war. He was also a founder of the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

That said I never thought another Illinoisan named Barack Hussein Obama could be President.

Just hope we can vote and our votes will be counted.

[UTUSN]

26. Fine with me! He's got the FDR aura, & he flicks KRASNOV off like a fly on his shoulder.

Whoever/Repuke after KRASNOV will be even less than a fly.

[DFW]

28. We have a few potential candidates out there who could propbably do the job well.

Not all want the job, and not all stand a good chance of being elected in nominated. But when has that NOT been the case with us? Personally, I think Pete Buttigeig has impeccable qualifications for the presidency. But would an openly gay guy get elected? I have my doubts, and Mayor Pete absolutely could run the country at least as well any currently discussed prospect. I would be thrilled to see him in the Oval Office. I would dread the campaign he'd have to go through to get there.

Other than Buttigeig or Pritzker? I think Mark Kelly could do it. I'm not sure he wants to. I just saw Rubén Gallego's name discussed (a new one to me). Rubén and I keep in touch, and he hasn't said a peep to me on the subject, for whatever that is worth to anyone reading this. If he's even thinking about it, I hope he keeps his mouth SHUT for a year at least, including to me.

The nonstop touting of Gavin Newsom's name seems to have died down somewhat for now, for whatever that is worth. If he wants the job, past experience indicates that he would do well to get his name out of the headlines for a while if he doesn't want to end up like Howard Dean. The press hates a front-runner, and the current right-wing press hates a charismatic Democratic front-runner even more.

[FakeNoose]

46. Agree with all of these choices

First I'd like to see Pete Buttigieg get some legislative experience though. I hope he plans to run for Congress in the next couple of years. It would make a good stepping stone for an eventual run for the White House. I believe Buttigieg is the future of the Democratic Party.

Since I'm in Pennsylvania I'd like to see our Governor Josh Shapiro being considered, and he may decide to run. Alternatively Shapiro would be an awesome choice for Attorney General to the next Dem president. (And so would Kamala Harris.) We have a deep bench!

But for the next presidential election, the ones who are ready now are the names you've mentioned: J.B. Pritzker, Mark Kelly, and the inevitable Gavin Newsom.

[BannonsLiver]

64. Gallego went to NH and the Iowa State Fair last year.

And has been asked about running in interviews repeatedly. He usually tap dances around the issue which is to be expected and not uncommon for pols. I’m just a pleb so not on a first name basis with him, but it’s pretty clear the thought of running for president has at least entered his mind at some point in the last year or so. He would make an interesting candidate. I became a fan when he savagely mocked the term Latin X a few years back.

[DFW]

70. AZ senators don't have a great record as presidential candidates

Of course in 2028 we won’t be running against anyone as sly as LBJ either.

As for knowing Rubén, I’ve known him since he was still in the House. He’s still relatively young, but he’s been ariund the block, and he doesn’t scare easily. His first wife supports him fully, so the Republicans wouldn’t be able to entangle him in any messy family drama.

[BannonsLiver]

71. I find him to be pretty impressive.

But you’re right about Arizona candidates. Bruce Babbitt was another one who didn’t get very far. I think Gallego has also navigated the immigration issue pretty well over the years as well to his credit.

[lees1975]

29. He is certainly considering it.

And he'd have my vote.

[AverageOldGuy]

30. I will vote for the Democratic Presidential candidate who promises:

To appoint an Attorney General who is the meanest, most bloodthirsty bastard male or female to be found and who pledges to turn the AG loose on the entire Trump administration.

And if the AG pledges to build a gallows on the National Mall to accommodate 10 at a time, all the better.

[wnylib]

37. Letitia James

For US AG.

[Bluetus]

31. Contrast the 3 that are all but announced: Newsom, Pritzker, Beshear

Beshear is posturing as the ultimate centerist, taking no positions on anything. His message is, "Look at me, I get along with Republicans in my state". Not interested. Maybe Kentucky Republicans are more deserving of cooperation and respect. We see a little of that with Paul and Massie. OTOH, Comer is as big an asshole as there is anywhere and McConnell is right there too. I will certainly vote for Beshear if he is the candidate, but I think this would be a very poor decision.

Newsom is posturing to be the smart guy who doesn't back down from the bully and is willing to attack Trump in ways nobody else has. I could certainly work for Newsom.

Pritzker is posturing as the "I can't explain those other guys, but where I live, Americans are mad as hell. Americans are looking for somebody to kick ass and take names. I'm reporting for duty." This is 100% where I am. And frankly, at this stage, I wouldn't mind seeing Pritzker and Chris Christie join forces. They look like they could be brothers. After what Trump has put the country through, maybe we need a radical idea like that. They are both seasoned politicians, nobody's fools. They are both smart, and neither is afraid to say exactly how they feel.

There will be others, of course, but these are the 3 that are making no secret of it.

Buttigieg is also out there, but I think he is more likely to end up positioning for the VP spot. I think he would be enormously helpful to any ticket, but probably not seen as strong/prominent enough to get the POTUS nomination.

[quaint]

44. Disagree about Chris Christie: He has called President Obama a "feckless weakling" .

No pass just because he is anti-Trump. Still an over-stuffed shirt llus, in my opinion.

[Bluetus]

52. Every politician says things that don't age well.

I wouldn't use the term "feckless weakling", but that isn't so different from "No drama Obama". He earned (and owned) that moniker by avoiding confrontation at every possibility.

He had his reasons and that was a different time. In today's world, nobody is looking for "no drama". People want real fighters. Of all the candidates I mentioned, I think Pritzker has the best alignment with where Americans are at this stage. That doesn't mean he will win. There are many factors.

[quaint]

58. I cannot imagine voting for a still-active Republican.

I would need to drink the Kool-Aid first.

[Bluetus]

61. It isn't likely to happen. I'm just sayin'

people are really, really pissed at the status quo, the tech bros, and the billionaire overlords, and both Pritzker and Christie have stood up strongly against that.

Democrats had better understand this is a time for "Eat the Rich", not "Let's find common ground with the oligarchs".

[TommyT139]

77. Chris Christie Bridgegate

(Besides, y'know, Republican.)

[questionseverything]

56. Absolutely no on any republican on our ticket, no, no & no

[liberalla]

32. I like him!

[nycbos]

33. I am from NY originally but I live in Chicago now.

I would vote for him, but I also worry he couldn’t win an election because I’m not sure this country will ever elect a Jewish president. I am Jewish myself I’m alarmed on a daily basis how antisemitism seems to be a cause that unites the right and the left.

[jfz9580m]

43. It is scary

I disagree entirely with the war profiteers and propaganda outlets benefiting from this. But it is always useful for the JD Vance type of “pro Israel” type to have a scapegoat group you both use and groom to be the scapegoat. The Vance type is baffling..
It is some weird transactional eugenics worldview.
They want to overwrite the horrors of the holocaust. I was shocked to see that Letter from Bin Laden circulate.

That is a disastrous addition to the current mess.
But at least the saner parts of the left like Nathan Robinson get it:

https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/the-rise-of-nick-fuentes-should-horrify-us-all

[FakeNoose]

49. OK, I won't disagree

I would add that the same can be said for most of us Americans on DU: we love our country but we hate its current leadership. It doesn't make us "antifa" to say that Chump is the worst President in the history of the US.

I'm not antisemitic in the least, and I've admired Israel up until Netanyahu became its leader.

[wnylib]

34. I'd vote for those things.

[Niagara]

40. I like Gov. JB Pritzker

I'm hoping that he's a contender for the next Presidential election.


He's correct about all the topics that he addresses especially Universal Healthcare.

[babylonsister]

41. He's one of my faves. Very

smart, compassionate, seems to be a problem solver.

[blueknight73]

45. Honestly,

I think the guy is great, but I also think another billionaire and a Jewish one at that, would never win in this day and time. I think the best hope for us would be Andy Beshear, Governor from Kentucky. People are sick of billionaires.

[Mysterian]

48. Pritzker would win against any scumbag republican

If someone does not vote for him because he is Jewish, they are maggots who would not vote for him if he were a Christian.

[Mud Boy Jr]

50. Jb's Housing

His solution to the housing crisis is to concede it to the real estate industry. Yimby Action, Anundant Housing Illinois, and Strong Towns Chicago are shills for the real estate industry. JB seems to love these groups and their ideas on housing. Unlike Jb and the aforementioned groups I am not a fan of supply side economics when applied to housing. His and their ideas about solving the housing crisis are very worrisome.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

65. Welcome to DU

[dlk]

53. Whomever Democrats nominate, we need someone willing to fight like a junkyard dog

Republicans lie and play dirty, and look where we are today — a very deep dark hole.

If our democracy is going to survive and thrive, there needs to be a purge of every rotten MAGA and Project 2025 Republicans from every corner of our government, like the cancer on our freedoms that they are. Half measures won’t cut it.

[Javaman]

57. I'll vote whomever the nominee is. nt

[Alliepoo]

59. I would happily vote for him, too.

And I’d like to see Beshear as his running mate. I think that would be a great ticket.

[Pucks mom]

62. All Democrat Candidates

Need to have "prosecution of Trump officials who have broken laws" in their platform or I am not voting for them.

[Ford_Prefect]

63. Call me when they ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING about what is happening right now.

Pritzger et Al, have offered us revenge or justice depending on your POV. I don't doubt they mean to do it, given the opportunity or the office.
However, we don't have time NOW to allow further degrading of our Republic.

[JI7]

66. I think Pritzker and Newsom are our strongest candidates

and they have no problem "going low".

[Morbius]

72. JB's a good man.

I have enthusiastically voted for him twice, and I plan to do again in November.

But consider these points: he has vastly improved Illinois' financial situation by legalizing marijuana and embracing legal gambling. There are more places to bet in Illinois than any other state, including Nevada or New Jersey. These are things he could not do on a national level, and the long-term effects of being able to gamble almost anywhere in a state remain to be seen. Illinois needed the revenue; the state for decades was in financial turmoil, and JB got it done. That counts for something. We do need a President who gets things done, like a Joe Biden but younger. Thanks to the current idiot, the list of things to do has grown massive. But my point here: success as a governor does not necessarily mean success as a President, or even as a candidate.

I never knew he was Jewish, by the way. It doesn't bother me a bit; if I had known I would have voted the same way. He's not the sort of guy who wears his religion on his sleeve.

[applegrove]

73. I'm liking him more and more. Finding out he was

Jewish is a plus for me. Means he is tied to other peoples and not just other billionaires/millionaires he grew up with. That is important to me. I know you shouldn't judge billionaires before you know them, or anybody else for that matter, but I can't help it in these times.

[DET]

74. I'm a Fan

I didn’t know a thing about Pritzker until he just sort of started showing up. But I liked him immediately. I had no idea initially that he was a billionaire or Jewish. And I suspect that most people don’t know that either. Pritzker comes across as an unpretentious down to earth man of the people. And I really like that he is willing to aggressively hold corrupt people accountable. Unless something ugly comes to light, Pritzker is my first choice for the Democratic ticket at this time.

[applegrove]

75. I waffle. We have so many good candidates to chose from

if they decide to run. Pritzker is up there as someone I would love to see as President some day.

[Skittles]

76. I'm OK with that

he seems pretty cool to me

[RandySF]

78. I have no problem with that.