Pritzker vs. Emanuel: 2 Illinois Democrats signal interest in White House bid
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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a rally where he announced he would be seeking a third term in the governor's office. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Two major Chicago Democrats have both shown interest in running for president, stirring questions about whether both should launch campaigns.
The big picture: Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced in June that he is considering a run for the White House, while Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is also speculated to be mulling the same.
The latest: Pritzker just announced his bid for a third term as Illinois governor, but that doesn't preclude him from mounting a presidential campaign.
The intrigue: The two heavyweight Democrats are reportedly friends and have worked together in the past, both hailing from Chicago.
- "We're going to continue to be friends, but if we're running for the same position, it will be awkward," Emanuel told NBC News.
What they're saying: "It is good for Illinois to be ground zero for Democrats and democracy," Democratic strategist Kitty Kurth tells Axios. "With not one but two presidential candidates, it would double the impact on the national Democratic messaging."
- "Not to mention double the national media attention and money spent here, plus full employment for political operatives," Kurth adds.
Between the lines: Pritzker and Emanuel's political careers are intertwined. They overlapped as governor and mayor for a short time in 2018-2019.
- Emanuel endorsed Pritzker for his first run for governor in 2018, after Pritzker was a chief fundraiser for Democrats and Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Pritzker family was a big donor for President Obama's campaigns, too.
State of play: Pritzker's political power has grown since then, taking over the state Democratic Party from former House Speaker Michael Madigan while becoming a mainstay in national politics after a successful 2024 Democratic National Convention.
- Emanuel went global after his tenure as Chicago mayor, being appointed ambassador to Japan under President Biden.
Reality check: Emanuel could have a hard time competing with Pritzker for Illinois votes, with state Democrats split on Emanuel's impact while mayor from 2011-2019.
Yes, but: Pritzker and Emanuel are already setting themselves apart ideologically.
- The former mayor is campaigning to be more of a centrist Democrat, trying to push the party away from identity politics and focus more on "kitchen table" issues.
- Pritzker has been at the forefront of identity politics in Illinois, advocating for protections for abortion providers, LGBTQ+ services and even a new progressive tax code, which failed at the ballot box in 2020.
The bottom line: Two Illinois powerhouse Democrats could be running for president, which could make for some intriguing local storylines leading up to 2028.