CHICAGO (WGN) — Now that Gov. JB Pritzker has made his re-election campaign official, he’ll need to pick a new running mate for the 2026 race.

The position has become available after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton revealed her intentions to run for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin in the upcoming primary election.

“She has truly set the bar high. In my opinion, she has been the most outstanding lieutenant governor in recent memory,” Pritzker commented on Stratton during a press conference on Monday that was unrelated to this announcement.

The choice Pritzker makes for Stratton’s successor on the 2026 ballot could have significant historical implications for Illinois, especially if the Governor decides to pursue a presidential bid in 2028 and succeeds.

On Monday, Pritzker acknowledged the significance of the decision, saying “the number one qualification is: can you do the job of being governor? Because if you’re lieutenant governor that may come to you.”

The governor was coy when later asked by a reporter how likely it would be that his second-in-command would need to take over the state’s top office.

“I feel like I’m in decent health, my doctor says so, so I hope that that wouldn’t be a reason,” Pritzker joked. “I don’t know what those odds are. It’s happened a few times, not too terribly often. But I also think that person becomes a prominent person in public life.”

Gov. Pritzker says another factor he’s considering is whether the candidate “has a heart for all the people of Illinois,” while pointing out that his administration represents all corners of the state as well as those with varying political beliefs.  

Sources tell WGN the governor has come up with a shortlist that includes State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth and Deputy Governor Andy Manar.

Gordon-Booth represents Peoria and its surrounding area. She also serves as assistant majority leader in the Illinois House after running point on budget negotiations for several years.

Manar previously represented part of southwestern Illinois in the state Senate and was instrumental in changing how the state funds public education. He has also focused on budget issues during his time serving in the Pritzker administration.

But a coalition of advocacy groups is urging Pritzker to pick a Latino running mate, instead.

“It’s essential that our state government understands and is accountable for including Latinos in its priorities – especially in the face of a federal government that’s actively working to eliminate and punish our presence,” the Illinois Latino Agenda said in a statement on Monday.

As speculation continues about the billionaire governor’s future ambitions, a recent survey by Emerson College Polling showed just 2 percent of voters preferred Pritzker in a field of potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates. Topping that list were Pete Buttigieg (16 percent) and Kamala Harris (13 percent).

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who hinted he might be considering his own presidential campaign, fell to the bottom of the 13-candidate field. The poll showed only 1 percent of voters said they would support him.

Gov. Pritzker is likely to announce his new running mate for the 2026 contest in the coming weeks.

Candidates can begin collecting signatures to get on the March primary ballot on August 5th.