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 — BA, Criminal Justice
Notable personal detailsJames Mendrick is an American law enforcement officer and politician who has served as Sheriff of DuPage County, Illinois (elected in 2018). He previously worked in the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and has described his role as a commander and deputy. In 2025 he entered the Republican primary for Governor of Illinois, campaigning with a public-safety focus.
SourcesShowHide
ilsheriff.orgnprillinois.orgdailyherald.comdupagesheriff.orgen.wikipedia.orgdupagegop.comelections.il.govlinkedin.comileas.orgdupagepolicyjournal.comtheillinoize.comballotready.orgcms5.revize.comdupagepolitics.orgdupagecounty.govbgrdc.commchenrycountyil.govillinoisweeklies.comreddit.comarxiv.orgmendrick4governor2026.comsjodaily.comfox32chicago.comipmnewsroom.orgmahometdaily.commyjournalcourier.comyahoo.comstgop.orgwandtv.comdgtro.orgmichigandems.comrewirenewsgroup.comkob.comshawlocal.commy.alongwalker.coabc7chicago.comfacebook.comcapitolnewsillinois.comchicagotribune.comnews.wttw.comwqad.comchicago.suntimes.compatch.compjstar.comthecentersquare.comgovinfo.govcasten.house.govhistory.house.govvotesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgnga.orgfec.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgdurbin.senate.govcongress.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 updatedJul 15, 2026
James Mendrick is in the news because he is one of the 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 GOP nomination, so Mendrick is no longer the party’s nominee. Coverage around the race has focused on the rematch setup in Illinois and the final primary results.
ilsheriff.org+54
Articles
DQDavenport Quad-City Times4 months ago
Illinois governor’s race will be a rematch in 2026
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago6 months ago
A voter’s guide for the 2026 Illinois primary election
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune4 months ago
2026 primary day election results: Governor
Neutral
SLShaw Local Enewspapers4 months ago
Election 2026: DuPage County election results, races to watch
Neutral
Polls
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of James Mendrick for Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
Knox County Sheriff
Elected official
The Knox County Sheriff endorsed James Mendrick for Illinois governor.
Sheriffs of Illinois PAC
Elected official
The Sheriffs of Illinois PAC endorsed James Mendrick for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising