New Poll Shows Pritzker Approval Rating Upside Down
Governor JB Pritzker speaks alongside Texas House Democrats who fled the state to stop a mid-decade redistricting effort. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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A new poll commissioned by the libertarian-leaning Illinois Policy Institute shows Governor JB Pritzker’s unfavourability rating is higher than his favorability rating.
The negative approval rating, often called “underwater” or “upside down” in political speak, comes after Pritzker announced his campaign for a third term. He’s attempting to be the first Illinois Governor to win a third full term since 1986.
The poll was conducted by M3 Strategies, operated by Republican operative Matt Podgorski and former Republican State Representative Mark Batinick, and have generally been considered to be accurate in recent election cycles.
The poll surveyed 752 likely voters, and 50.2% had an unfavorable view of Pritzker, while 47.2% had a favorable view. 3% of voters had no opinion. 43.3% of respondents said they had a strongly unfavorable view of Pritzker.
Speaking to me on the radio yesterday, Batinick said Pritzker’s presidential ambitions may be getting in the way.
“It’s difficult to serve two masters,” he said. “It’s difficult to run to the far left to try to win a Democratic primary for president, at the same time you have to please moderates and win independents in a General Election. This just goes to show you the perils of a third term and what he’s trying to do.”
Batinick, who also advises the Illinois Policy Institute on pension matters, says Pritzker is losing ground fastest among voters aged 31-45.
The Governor’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. One top Democrat we spoke to, that was not authorized to speak on behalf of the Pritzker campaign, called the poll “bulls**t.”
Now its up to Republicans to attempt to take advantage of Pritzker’s softest poll numbers to date, which Batinick says can be done.
“I do think there’s an opening. It’s still uphill. Republicans are still huge underdogs, but I don’t think it’s as foregone of a conclusion that everyone wanted to make about the election [in 2026],” he said. “Republicans have to call out the hypocrisy and show plans to actually address the issues that are facing Illinoisans.”
You can hear our conversation with Batinick here.
