The lieutenant governor race in Illinois this year has drawn unusual attention as the office takes on heightened significance amid Governor JB Pritzker’s bid for a third term and the potential for a 2028 presidential run. The contest features Democrat Christian Mitchell of Chicago, a former state representative and deputy governor, and Republican Aaron Del Mar of Palatine, a local official with business experience.
Mitchell, 40, replaced Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on the Democratic ticket after she launched a U.S. Senate campaign. He brings a lengthy political résumé, including three terms in the Illinois House and four years as Pritzker’s deputy governor, during which he played pivotal roles in legislative achievements like the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and the Rebuild Illinois multi-billion-dollar infrastructure plan. Mitchell has also been involved in reforms such as the legalization of recreational marijuana, the elimination of cash bail, and a 2023 ban on certain firearms and high-capacity magazines. After leaving the administration, he served as vice president for civic engagement at the University of Chicago and continues to serve as a captain and judge advocate in the Illinois National Guard.
Raised in Chicago’s Westchester and Maywood neighborhoods by a single mother and a grandfather who served in the Army, Mitchell began his political activism as a University of Chicago student. He later worked for prominent Illinois political figures and was the first African American executive director of the state Democratic Party. Advocating for rural Illinois is one of his stated priorities as lieutenant governor, particularly addressing challenges resulting from federal budget cuts. He also aims to support the Illinois Main Street program to revitalize small-town economies.
Supporters describe Mitchell as bright and hardworking, although some critics view him as occasionally arrogant, a trait he attributes to the high-pressure roles he held negotiating complex policies. Mitchell emphasizes his readiness to serve as governor if Pritzker pursues a presidential bid but stresses his current focus on the lieutenant governor role.
On the Republican side, Aaron Del Mar, 48, offers a contrasting profile. A former Palatine village councilman and twice chair of the Cook County Republican Party, Del Mar has owned several businesses and currently holds two local elected positions. He grew up on Chicago’s Northwest Side before moving to Palatine, where he became active in local government after opposing high-density housing development near his family home. Del Mar also has a background as a wrestler and judo competitor.
Selected as running mate by Darren Bailey, who lost the 2022 gubernatorial primary but is seeking the Republican nomination again, Del Mar is seen as a bridge to suburban voters and a political operator with strong northern Illinois connections. He has voiced concern about state spending transparency and intends to oversee how grant money is used. Del Mar has urged more accountability following the federal indictment of Democratic state Rep. Carol Ammons for alleged financial misconduct.
Del Mar’s personal history has included a contentious custody battle and publicized disputes in his private life, which he acknowledges were difficult periods. Known for a sometimes fiery demeanor, he has drawn attention for controversial remarks, including recent statements about “choking” Governor Pritzker “through the television,” comments he characterized as hyperbolic political rhetoric without intent of physical harm. He emphasizes his commitment to fighting for property tax relief, safety, and education access if elected.
Political analysts note that while Mitchell’s candidacy reinforces continuity and experience on the Democratic ticket, Del Mar’s inclusion adds a suburban voice to the Republican campaign, potentially broadening its appeal. The race, therefore, carries implications beyond the traditional ceremonial nature of the lieutenant governor’s office, especially given the governor’s ambitions and the complex political landscape in Illinois.