Gov. JB Pritzker announced his running mate today for his re-election campaign, former Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell.
Mitchell will serve as Lieutenant Governor, following current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s move to run for U.S. Senate, if Pritzker wins re-election.
Here’s what we know.
Pritzker announces running mate on social media
Pritzker announced the pick on X, sharing a “get-to-know-you” video about Mitchell titled “Meet Christian.”
“Whether it’s transforming our clean energy future, rebuilding our infrastructure, or keeping our communities safe, he has been a force behind so much of our progress,” Pritzker’s caption reads. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner to continue delivering results for the people of Illinois.”
Mitchell is a former three-term state representative and a current First Lieutenant in the Illinois Air National Guard. He served as Deputy Governor for four years, “during which time he was a principal force behind the transformative $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan and the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act,” according to a news release from Pritzker’s office.
Pritzker also called Mitchell a “proven leader with deep experience, steady judgment, and an unshakable commitment to the working families of Illinois.”
Who is Christian Mitchell?
Mitchell was a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side before going on to serve as a state representative from 2013 to 2019. He represented the 26th district in the Illinois House of Representatives, which covers parts of Chicago’s South Side.
Mitchell also served as the first Black executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
As a deputy governor from the start of the Pritzker administration to 2023, Christian oversaw a portfolio that included infrastructure, energy and public safety.
Mitchell led efforts to pass the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, and he was a key force behind Rebuild Illinois and cannabis legalization, according to Pritzker’s office. Mitchell also oversaw the state’s medical supply chain through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mitchell now serves as a First Lieutenant and Deputy Staff Judge Advocate in the Illinois Air National Guard. He also serves as Vice President for Civic Engagement at the University of Chicago, where he oversees government relations, civic partnerships, and business diversity initiatives to drive equitable growth on the South Side and across the region.
Mitchell is a graduate of the University of Chicago and Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and is a member of the Illinois bar.
In Pritzker’s video announcement, Mitchell said he got into public service because “as difficult as life can be, I believe it can be a little bit easier if you’ve got leaders in government who care about working families, making life more affordable, making health care more accessible.”
How long has Pritzker been governor?
Pritzker has served two terms (or seven years) since being elected in 2018.
Does Illinois have a term limit for governor?
No, Illinois does not have a limit on the number of terms a governor can serve. It is one of 13 states without such a term limit.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pritzker chooses Christian Mitchell as running mate. What to know