Poll from Democrat-Leaning Firm Shows Pritzker Up 20 Points
Governor JB Pritzker launches his campaign for re-election in June of 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
A new poll from a Democratic-aligned firm and paid for by an obscure, progressive media outlet based on Chicago’s south side shows Democratic Governor JB Pritzker leading his Republican opponent, former State Senator Darren Bailey, by 20 points.
The poll, commissioned for Chicago News Weekly, which prints a weekly newspaper and describes itself as serving “Chicago’s progressive Black community,” was conducted by Public Policy Polling, a North Carolina firm that has been referred to by some experts as an accurate, but liberal, pollster.
The poll included 28% of landline respondents and surveyed 589 Illinois voters, but doesn’t specify if they are likely or registered voters.
The survey shows Pritzker leading Bailey 54%-34% with Independent candidate Collin Corbett recording 6%. Another 6% of respondents were undecided.
“Ouch,” responded one top Republican strategist when read the results. “I think we all knew it was bad, but did we know it was this bad?”
The result could have an impact on next week’s scheduled gubernatorial debate. Chicago Public TV station WTTW had said without any public polling, Corbett would likely be included in the debate. The debate rules stated Corbett needed 15% in a public poll to qualify. It isn’t clear if the station will consider the poll independent.
Some Republican insiders speculated Monday the Pritzker campaign was behind the poll. Chicago News Weekly said it paid for the survey, but in reviewing recent editions of the publication, the Pritzker campaign appears to be one of its only advertisers. The publication also did a lengthy, glowing profile of Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Christian Mitchell.
The Pritzker campaign denied it had any involvement in the poll.
In the race for U.S. Senate, Democrat Juliana Stratton leads Republican Don Tracy by 13 points, 49%-36%, with 15% of respondents undecided.
The closest statewide race is the race for Comptroller, where Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago), leads Republican Bryan Drew 48%-37%, with 15% undecided.
President Trump’s approval rating in the state is 33% with 61% disapproving.
The survey was conducted September 30-October 1.
