The race for lieutenant governor of Illinois has become a focal point in the state’s upcoming election, featuring Democrat Christian Mitchell and Republican Aaron Del Mar, both bringing distinct backgrounds and priorities to the contest.
Christian Mitchell, a 40-year-old Chicago native and former state representative, currently serves as Gov. JB Pritzker’s running mate after replacing Juliana Stratton, who is running for the U.S. Senate. Mitchell brings a significant resume that includes three terms in the Illinois House and four years as Pritzker’s deputy governor, where he played a key role in major legislative initiatives such as the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and the state’s $45 billion capital improvements plan. He also helped negotiate legalization measures for recreational marijuana and stricter gun controls.
Raised in Westchester and Maywood by a single mother and a grandfather who served in the Army, Mitchell’s early activism focused on social justice and was rooted in his University of Chicago years and work with groups advocating for low-income neighborhoods. He was the first African American executive director of the Illinois Democratic Party in 2018. Mitchell emphasizes a commitment to the lieutenant governor’s office and downplays speculation about a potential presidential run by Pritzker in 2028, focusing instead on issues like rural affairs, economic revitalization, and healthcare accessibility across Illinois.
Critics describe Mitchell as both highly capable and occasionally arrogant, a demeanor he attributes to the challenges of negotiating complex policy matters. Mitchell is also a captain and judge advocate in the Illinois National Guard and currently holds a university leadership role in civic engagement.
On the Republican side, Aaron Del Mar, 48, a businessman and local official from Palatine, serves as the running mate to Darren Bailey, who unsuccessfully challenged Pritzker four years ago. Del Mar has held multiple local government roles including Palatine Township highway commissioner and president of the Inverness Fire Protection District Board of Trustees. He also chaired the Cook County Republican Party during a period of diminishing GOP influence in the suburbs.
Del Mar’s background includes competitive wrestling and judo, with experience as an entrepreneur and local council member. Known for his outspoken style, he has positioned himself as an advocate for greater transparency in state spending and stronger support for small businesses. Del Mar stresses fiscal responsibility, particularly criticizing the use of state grant money following a federal indictment of a Democratic state representative accused of financial misconduct.
The partnership between Bailey and Del Mar symbolizes an effort to balance urban and suburban Republican interests, with Del Mar seen by some as a crucial link to suburban voters. His past includes a highly publicized personal custody dispute and moments of contentious rhetoric, including recent comments expressing frustration with Governor Pritzker and the Democratic legislature. Del Mar has acknowledged the intensity of his language but insists on his commitment to fighting for Illinoisans’ rights and maintaining a cooperative but firm approach in Springfield.
As the lieutenant governor’s office in Illinois traditionally has limited duties, the candidates’ backgrounds and visions for the role highlight its potential to become more influential—particularly given Pritzker’s possible presidential aspirations and the state’s political dynamics. The outcome of this race will shape how the office supports the governor and addresses key statewide issues in the coming term.