Voter turnout appeared light in parts of suburban Illinois as polls opened for the 2026 primary, but the stakes remain high in a Republican gubernatorial contest that is increasingly focused on building a coalition capable of competing statewide in November.
Businessman and policy analyst Ted Dabrowski, a Republican candidate for governor, said his campaign is centered on uniting a broad cross-section of voters, particularly in the suburbs, which many view as the decisive battleground in a general election against Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Dabrowski emphasized that recent election results underscore the importance of suburban support, noting that previous Republican candidates struggled significantly in Cook County and surrounding areas. He said his campaign has focused on addressing that gap by engaging with communities that have not traditionally been part of the Republican base.
“We have to build a coalition that reaches beyond the traditional voters,” Dabrowski said, pointing to outreach efforts among Hispanic, Eastern European, and other immigrant communities, as well as faith-based groups across the state.
He said those efforts reflect a belief that many voters share concerns about issues such as education, public safety, and economic opportunity, regardless of political affiliation.
Dabrowski also highlighted endorsements from local leaders and grassroots organizations as evidence of growing support, including backing from former state Rep. Tom Morrison and community activists in Chicago.
The candidate framed the election as an opportunity to present an alternative to current state policies, particularly on issues such as crime, taxation, and government spending.
“People are looking for change,” Dabrowski said. “There’s an opening if we can unite and get out the vote.”
Among the policy issues raised during the campaign, Dabrowski has called for repealing Illinois’ SAFE-T Act and restoring cash bail, arguing that public safety should be a top priority for state leadership. He also criticized sanctuary policies and pledged to use executive authority to push for changes even in the face of a Democratic-controlled legislature.
The campaign has also focused heavily on economic concerns, particularly property taxes, which Dabrowski said remain a top issue for voters across all regions of the state, including areas outside Chicago.
“Property taxes come up everywhere,” he said. “It’s not just a suburban issue.”
Dabrowski said he was struck during the campaign by the level of frustration among voters in central and southern Illinois, where many feel disconnected from decision-making in Chicago.
“They feel like they don’t have a voice,” he said, adding that any successful statewide strategy must include stronger engagement with those regions.
Despite the campaign’s focus on coalition-building, Dabrowski acknowledged the challenges facing a first-time statewide candidate, including limited name recognition and the difficulty of reaching a large and diverse electorate.
“It’s a big state, and it takes time and resources to get your message out,” he said.
He also addressed criticism that his campaign style lacks the more combative tone often associated with modern politics, describing his approach as deliberate and focused on substance rather than rhetoric.
“I’m not going to win by shouting,” Dabrowski said. “I’m going to win by being steady, by working hard, and by sticking to the issues.”
As voters cast ballots, the outcome of the primary is expected to shape the Republican Party’s strategy heading into the general election, particularly in determining whether the nominee can expand support in suburban areas while maintaining strength in more conservative regions.
With Illinois long considered a challenging state for Republicans at the statewide level, Dabrowski said the path forward depends on unifying voters around shared concerns and presenting a credible alternative to current leadership.
“This is about putting together the kind of coalition that can actually win,” he said.