Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has launched a new political action committee, "Ready for The Fight PAC," with an initial $20 million to support Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm elections. Pritzker, one of the country's wealthiest elected officials, has emerged as a vocal critic of Donald Trump, challenging his policies on immigration, taxes, and democracy.
The formation of the PAC signifies Pritzker's transition from a state-level governor to a more prominent national Democratic figure. He is leveraging his personal fortune and campaign infrastructure to counter Trump's influence. Pritzker also backs the Think Big America nonprofit, which initially focused on reproductive rights and has expanded its scope to include issues affecting working families.
Having recently completed a statewide bus tour in Illinois, where he is expected to win a third term, Pritzker is also considered a potential contender for the 2028 presidential election. Establishing a PAC that invests in candidates beyond his home state can help him cultivate relationships, build goodwill, and accumulate political capital beneficial for a future White House bid. Other governors, such as California's Gavin Newsom, Kentucky's Andy Beshear, and Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, have also created similar PACs to support candidates in other states.