Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
5.8%
39.4%
6.4%
5.0%
Republican
James Mendrick
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
$96.4K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSheriff
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
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BackgroundLaw enforcement officer
EducationLewis University (attended; 1992–1995)
Notable personal detailsJames Mendrick is an American law enforcement official who has served as Sheriff of DuPage County, Illinois since December 2018. He is a Republican candidate for Governor of Illinois in the 2026 election cycle and has emphasized public safety and criminal justice issues in his campaign. He attended Lewis University and previously served in multiple roles within the DuPage County Sheriff's Office.
SourcesShowHide
nprillinois.orgshawlocal.comcms5.revize.comlinkedin.compatch.comdupagesheriff.orgilsheriff.orgmendrick4governor2026.comen.wikipedia.orgmahometdaily.combnd.comwbez.orgchicago.suntimes.comwglt.orgdailyherald.comprnewswire.comaxios.commedia.iadsnetwork.comdupagecounty.govsjodaily.comfox32chicago.comipmnewsroom.orgmyjournalcourier.comyahoo.comstgop.orgwandtv.comdgtro.orgmichigandems.comrewirenewsgroup.comkob.commy.alongwalker.coabc7chicago.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgballotready.orgcasten.house.govnga.orgcongress.govdurbin.senate.govfec.govgovinfo.govhistory.house.govdocquery.fec.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes and cutting regulations to attract businesses, auditing government spending to eliminate waste, and balancing the state budget without deficit spending. Advocates fiscal responsibility and business-friendly policies to grow jobs and the economy.
Healthcare
Supports reducing state-funded healthcare spending (including programs for undocumented immigrants) and expanding treatment-focused programs in jails; emphasizes cutting wasteful government spending on healthcare and prioritizing fiscal restraint. Campaign materials highlight partnerships with local health departments for medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) for inmates and addiction recovery programs. News coverage records Mendrick criticizing Illinois’ immigrant healthcare spending and calling for policy changes to end such programs.
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Immigration & Border
Supports ending Illinois’ sanctuary policies, restoring state cooperation with federal immigration authorities (including granting ICE access to county jails), and removing criminal noncitizen migrants from custody prior to release. Frames immigrant-related state spending as a problem and favors stronger enforcement measures rather than expanded legal pathways or regularization.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 11, 2026
James Mendrick is in the news because he is one of four Republican candidates competing to challenge Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker in the 2026 governor’s race. The primary has now been held, and reporting says Darren Bailey won the Republican rematch bid, leaving Mendrick out of the top spot in the contest. Coverage around the race has focused on the Illinois primary results and the broader governor’s rematch matchup heading into November.
nprillinois.org+46
Articles
DQDavenport Quad-City Times3 months ago
Illinois governor’s race will be a rematch in 2026
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago4 months ago
A voter’s guide for the 2026 Illinois primary election
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune3 months ago
2026 primary day election results: Governor
Neutral
SLShaw Local Enewspapers3 months ago
Election 2026: DuPage County election results, races to watch
Neutral
Polls
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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