As Governor J.B. Pritzker kicked off his campaign for a third term with a statewide tour and highly produced videos, Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi joined Chicago’s Morning Answer to deliver a blunt rebuttal: Illinoisans aren’t buying it, and Republicans are more energized than ever to challenge one-party rule in Springfield.
Speaking with hosts Amy Jacobson and John Anthony, Salvi argued that voters across the state are fed up with the high cost of living, runaway taxation, and what she called a “bloated” state budget under Democratic leadership. “People are looking for a second or third job just to sustain the taxes they’re suffering,” she said, citing Illinois’ gas tax, property tax burden, and declining population as signs of policy failure.
Salvi emphasized that the Illinois Republican Party does not handpick or fund candidates but instead supports those who emerge from competitive primaries. She declined to name specific contenders for the GOP gubernatorial nomination but hinted that “great names” will enter the race when petitioning opens in August. One declared candidate, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, has already launched a campaign.
The conversation turned to strategy, especially around reaching the state’s 2.5 million independent voters and disaffected Democrats. Salvi stressed the importance of grassroots activism and early engagement in what she described as a “40-day election cycle” driven by mail-in ballots and early voting. Her message: Republicans must do more than vote—they must persuade, organize, and mobilize.
“Ask yourself, can I get 12 people I know to vote?” Salvi said. “If every Republican did that, we’d see a Republican revolution.”
Salvi also called for deeper investment in training and infrastructure to grow the GOP bench, encouraging listeners to participate in upcoming events in Marion, Rockford, Peoria, and DuPage County through partnerships with the Leadership Institute. She urged would-be candidates to connect with their local Republican township and county organizations and encouraged every listener to consider becoming an election judge or precinct committeeperson.
When asked about long-term outreach to minority communities and Chicago-based movements like Blexit and Flip Red Chicago, Salvi emphasized inclusion. “We build by addition, not subtraction,” she said. She pointed to frustration among Black and Hispanic voters over issues like border policy, education, and gender ideology as potential openings for Republicans to broaden their base.
The conversation concluded with a call to action. “The best way to turn the state red is for school board and local leaders who identify as Democrats to come on board,” Salvi said. “Taste the sweet waters of the Republican Party.”
With Pritzker’s reelection campaign already in motion and the 2026 race taking shape, Salvi left listeners with a clear message: this could be Illinois Republicans’ best opportunity in years—and it’s time to get off the sidelines.