Representative Rodney Davis speaks during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol in July 2021. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Springfield is back in session this week debating congressional district maps, but it's never too early to start thinking about the gubernatorial election in 2022.
Why it matters: Democrat J.B. Pritzker is running for reelection with good poll numbers on his handling of COVID-19. That will make it harder for Republicans to push Illinois from blue to red.
Yes, but: GOP pundits and consultants are already privately tossing around names of potential challengers. Axios talked to them on background for their top picks.
- Rep. Rodney Davis: A southern Illinois Republican who supported Donald Trump in 2020, Davis is the top name mentioned.
- Erika Harold: The suburban attorney and former Miss America won the GOP nomination for state attorney general but lost to current officeholder Kwame Raoul. Still, that was her first campaign and her star continues to rise.
- Todd Ricketts: A surprising name mentioned by a few pundits, Ricketts is coming off raising money for the RNC. His family owns the Cubs and he's pro-Trump.
- Rep. Adam Kinzinger: The Congressman was only mentioned once but has been flirting with running for higher office. He may not have a choice if his congressional seat is taken from him in the redistricting process. Kinzinger is famously anti-Trump which might make it hard to win a republican primary.
Reminder: The 2022 primary was pushed back to June.
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