Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker disclosed in a recent interview that he has lost 80 pounds since beginning a GLP-1 medication regimen earlier this year, attributing the weight loss to the availability of the treatment and a new fitness routine. Speaking on “CBS Mornings” on Monday, Pritzker described his weight loss journey as a personal achievement and stressed that it was not connected to any presidential ambitions.

Pritzker, who is seeking a third term as governor in the upcoming election, emphasized that he has not made any decisions about running for president in 2028. “I want to be the governor of the state of Illinois for a while longer,” he said. The governor’s acknowledgment of his weight loss comes amid a broader trend of political candidates losing weight prior to presidential campaigns, seen previously in figures like Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, Cory Booker, and Al Gore.

The 55-year-old Pritzker explained that medical advice played a significant role in motivating his health changes. About two years ago, his doctors informed him that he had reached diabetic status and recommended insulin injections. Since starting a regimen that includes predawn four-mile walks in Chicago and the GLP-1 drugs, Pritzker has been able to stop taking insulin, according to an aide.

Approximately 11 percent of American adults are currently using GLP-1 medications, commonly prescribed to assist in weight loss and diabetes management, a factor that could help Pritzker appear more relatable to Democratic voters wary of his wealthy background as an heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune.

This revelation follows a prior interview with a Chicago NBC affiliate, where Pritzker discussed his weight but avoided confirming the use of GLP-1 drugs, instead advocating walking as beneficial for mental health.

Pritzker has repeatedly clashed with former President Donald Trump, who has occasionally targeted the governor’s weight in his criticisms. Trump suggested last year that Pritzker should “spend more time in the gym.” Trump himself has acknowledged his own struggles with weight, stating earlier this year that he “probably should” consider anti-obesity medications but had not pursued them.

In a separate interview published Monday, Pritzker commented on their shared challenges, noting, “Oh, by the way, he’s overweight. But I don’t really talk about that publicly.” The governor’s openness about his health marks a notable development amid growing public attention to wellness and politics.