Pritzker Leads Bailey in Illinois Governor Polls

Two recent polls show Governor JB Pritzker ahead of Republican challenger Darren Bailey ahead of the November election.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a domed state capitol silhouette above a flat horizon in deep red, cream, and navy. — Democratic Governor JB Pritzker leads Republican challenger Darren Bailey in two recent Illinois polls ahead of the November election. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you think Illinois is headed in the right direction under its current leadership?

Two polls show Illinois Governor JB Pritzker leading Republican challenger Darren Bailey in the November gubernatorial race. ActiVote found Pritzker ahead 58.7% to 41.3%, while Public Policy Polling found him ahead 54% to 34%.

Why it matters

The polls point to a wide Democratic advantage in a race that Illinois voters will decide in November. MultiState rates the contest as Solid D, reflecting a race not expected to be competitive.

ActiVote, which surveyed voters on Oct. 22, put Pritzker at 58.7% against Bailey's 41.3%, while Public Policy Polling, posted Oct. 6, had Pritzker at 54% and Bailey at 34%. Whether the lead holds through the November election is not addressed by either survey.

The players

JB Pritzker

Pritzker is the sitting Democratic governor of Illinois seeking reelection in the November 2026 contest against Republican challenger Darren Bailey.

Darren Bailey

Bailey is the Republican nominee challenging Governor JB Pritzker in the Illinois gubernatorial race and is a former state legislator and Republican candidate for governor.

The details

ActiVote reported Pritzker with 100% support among voters identified as left and 97% among moderate left voters, while Bailey drew 89% of right-identified voters and 86% of moderate right voters. Pritzker also held a 72% to 28% advantage among centrist voters, according to the same poll.

- Oct. 6, 2026: Public Policy Polling posted its results.
- Oct. 22, 2026: ActiVote conducted its poll.
- November 2026: Gubernatorial election between Pritzker and Bailey.

Political Context

MultiState classifies the Illinois governor's race as Solid D, indicating analysts do not expect a close contest. The polling lead for Pritzker is consistent with that classification, though the extraction does not describe Bailey's campaign response.

Illinois voters will choose between Pritzker and Bailey in November, and the polling suggests a clear favorite as of late October. Voters who want to influence the margin can review candidate positions before casting a ballot.

The takeaway

Early polling gives Pritzker a large lead, but polls taken weeks before an election are not a guarantee of the final result. Illinois voters have until November to weigh the candidates for themselves.