Illinois Governor JB Pritzker entered a ballroom full of prominent New Hampshire Democrats on Sunday and, after a nearly 30-minute address, had them fired up to rally against President Trump.
“It’s time to fight everywhere and all at once,” he told the gathering of Democratic activists, officials, and donors, who jumped up with cheers and applause. “I’ve never before called for mass protests, mobilization, and disruption. But now I am. These Republicans shouldn’t have a moment of peace.”
“The reckoning is finally here,” he proclaimed.
This applies not just to the Trump administration but also to his own party.
Within the ongoing debate regarding the Democratic Party’s future, Mr. Pritzker has risen as a leader of an emerging faction advocating for a strong and relentless assault on Mr. Trump, his GOP allies, and their conservative policies.
His speech was one of the most forceful calls to action by a major liberal figure since the beginning of the Trump era, rivaling similar messages from Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York during their Western tour. However, unlike them, Mr. Pritzker delivered his impassioned speech in a state that has hosted the nation’s first presidential primary for over a century — a notable point in itself.
Mr. Pritzker dismissed any notion that his appearance on Sunday in Manchester, N.H., marked the start of the 2028 Democratic primary race. He emphasized his commitment to supporting the party’s efforts in the upcoming midterm elections.
Nonetheless, his presence is likely to fuel further speculation. Mr. Pritzker occupies a prominent position in Democratic politics as one of the party’s leading elected officials, generous donors, and potential candidates for the 2028 presidential race.
“I’m among those leading the fight, and that’s my role,” he noted in an interview before his speech. “We’ve achieved a lot in Illinois, and we can replicate that in other states.”
While some governors have clumsily tried to mend fences with Mr. Trump, Mr. Pritzker has transformed his state into a stronghold opposing the administration’s immigration policies, federal cuts, and tariffs on foreign nations.
Contrary to some congressional Democrats, including New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who caution against aggressive attacks on the president to avoid alienating independent voters, Mr. Pritzker advocates for a stance of total opposition.
“The real division within the Democratic Party isn’t between the left and the right — it’s whether you view this as a constitutional crisis or typical political maneuvering,” said Ezra Levin, co-founder of the progressive group Indivisible. “Pritzker exemplifies what it means to lead a party in opposition to the federal government’s overreach.”
In recent times, Mr. Pritzker has spread a message of staunch resistance to some of the most passionate Democratic activists nationwide, speaking at a party fundraiser in Austin, Illinois, and during the Human Rights Campaign’s annual gala in Los Angeles. He’s also scheduled to address a fundraising dinner for the Michigan Democratic Party next month.
In his New Hampshire speech, he criticized fellow Democrats who have cautioned against the party’s supposed overreach, labeling them as “timid, not bold.”
“Fellow Democrats, we have listened too long to a group of ineffective politicians telling us that America’s house isn’t on fire, even as the flames are right in front of them,” he stated. “Now, as the fire engulfs the rafters, the pundits and politicians, whose cowardice has fueled the arsonists, ask us not to take action.”
While he did not name names, there were clear targets: California Governor Gavin Newsom, who hosts a podcast with MAGA celebrities, and Democratic strategist James Carville, who has called for “a strategic political retreat” until Trump’s approval ratings decline.
“Those same ineffective Democrats want to blame our losses on our commitment to Black individuals, trans kids, and immigrants,” said Mr. Pritzker, “instead of their own cowardice and lack of ambition.”
His remarks highlighted how, for now, the primary divide among Democrats is less about healthcare or policy debates, but about how forcefully they should oppose Mr. Trump and his agenda.
While some party donors and consultants call for moderation, Mr. Pritzker resonates with the Democratic base’s strong desire for a leader willing to fight.
“Voters didn’t come out for Democrats last November — not because they lack faith in our values, but because they feel we aren’t willing to stand up for them,” he noted in his speech. “We must shed the dust of language controlled by polls and decades of outdated decorum. It has clouded our better instincts.”
Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress and a long-time player in Democratic politics, suggested that these early days of the Trump administration could have lasting effects into the 2028 primary race. Voters will remember how potential candidates acted during this time.
“People will recall how Democrats responded in this crucial moment,” stated Ms. Tanden, whose organization hosted Mr. Pritzker this year. “When Trump was at his most intimidating, did Democrats yield? Did they try to connect with right-wing figures? Or did they stand tall and protect our principles?”
An heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, with an estimated net worth around $3.5 billion, Mr. Pritzker is one of the wealthiest elected officials in the country — a status that grants him a degree of political independence as he doesn’t rely heavily on party donors.
In 2018, he transitioned from a prominent donor, having funded Hillary Clinton’s two presidential campaigns, to a significant political figure in his own right. He has self-financed two gubernatorial campaigns and has generously supported Democratic candidates and state parties in competitive areas.
— Especially in Wisconsin.
In 2023, as he broadened his political influence, Mr. Pritzker launched a political action committee named Think Big America, which invested millions in supporting ballot initiatives aimed at establishing abortion rights in state legislation.
Even prior to President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s challenging debate last year, Mr. Pritzker was discussed as the Democrats’ “break glass” candidate — someone who could finance a presidential campaign on short notice.
Instead, he backed Vice President Kamala Harris and hosted a celebratory convention for his party in Chicago, even creating his own craft beers labeled JBeers for the occasion.
In contrast to 2024, the 2028 Democratic primary is anticipated to be competitive and open, with little regard for seniority or political experience. As preliminary maneuvers quietly commence, some Democrats believe Mr. Pritzker could emerge as a formidable candidate thanks to his wealth and extensive party ties.
