JB Pritzker pours nearly $40 million into the midterms as 2028 talk grows

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has steered close to $40 million to Democratic candidates and groups this election season. His money is reaching big national super PACs and small state legislative races alike. In the closing weeks he is also paying for a $20 million drive to help Democrats compete for House seats deep in Republican territory.

Pritzker told reporters that nothing else in politics matters right now. He said Democrats simply have to win this year. The billionaire, whose fortune is estimated at about $4.2 billion, is expected to win his own reelection race easily next month.

Money with a map

His giving has landed in places that will matter if he runs for president. A $500,000 gift to the Michigan Democratic Party is paying for a statewide organizing push with 25 offices and 80 staff members, the state party chair said. He gave $100,000 to a group that backed Stefany Shaheen in her September House primary win in New Hampshire, which votes early in the 2028 calendar.

His Ready for the Fight PAC also took over $2.8 million in ad time for Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, another new early primary state. That freed up money for the main House Democratic super PAC to play offense elsewhere. In Nevada he has given $650,000 to a ballot measure that would put abortion rights in the state constitution.

Mending fences with Black lawmakers

Some of the spending is helping repair ties with the Congressional Black Caucus. Members were upset when Pritzker spent $10 million to win the Illinois Senate nomination for his lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, over Rep. Robin Kelly. After the primary he met with caucus members and promised to help grow their numbers.

His PAC is now spending for Chris Jones in Arkansas, Shomari Figures in Alabama and Justin Pearson in Tennessee. Jones has gained ground on GOP Rep. French Hill in a district that usually votes solidly Republican. Pritzker said Democrats must do everything they can to support Black candidates after the Supreme Court's recent voting rights ruling.

A big bet on Texas

Pritzker has made four trips to Texas this cycle. He has given more than $1 million to Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, after Latino leaders begged national Democrats to invest in her race. He also sent $100,000 to the Texas Democratic Party for its voter protection work.

Other possible 2028 contenders are spending too, including Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear and Pete Buttigieg through their own PACs. Pritzker said reading his donations as a sign of White House plans would be wrong and noted he has given to state parties across the country for most of his adult life.

Republicans in some races have tried to make him a target, casting him as an out-of-state elite. Pritzker is betting the cash pays off on election night. He said Democrats could gain 30 to 40 House seats and hold as many as 52 or 53 seats in the Senate.