Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
34.4%
8.2%
5.4%
Republican
Joseph Severino
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
$96.4K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSmall business owner
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
LocationIllinois
BackgroundSmall business owner
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EducationHarvard Business School — Owner/President Management (OPM) Program (program completion; year not specified)
Notable personal detailsJoseph Severino is a Republican candidate who ran for Governor of Illinois in the 2026 election cycle. He previously ran for the U.S. House in Illinois's 10th Congressional District and maintained a principal campaign committee with the FEC. He has described himself as a longtime small-business owner and as a graduate of Harvard Business School's Owner/President Management program, and he has stated he passed California's First-Year Law Students' Examination ("Baby Bar").
SourcesShowHide
severinoforgovernor.comfec.govilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.nettransparencyusa.orgelections.il.govwincoil.govclerk.kanecountyil.govclerk2.kanecountyil.govvote-usa.orgmultistate.usdockets.justia.comivoterguide.comshelbycounty-il.govm.thegreenpapers.comapps.npr.orgstatic1.squarespace.comen.wikipedia.orgreddit.comseverinoforcongress.comyahoo.comdailyherald.comnewswire.comvsnewsnetwork.comballotready.org25newsnow.comillinoisdelivered.comjwcmedia.comyournews.comshawlocal.comrepseverin.commy.alongwalker.copolitico.comthenation.cominstagram.comsj-r.comabc7chicago.comillinoisreview.comballotpedia.orgthreads.combhfs.comillinoisrighttolifeaction.orgfacebook.comclerk.house.govnga.orghistory.house.govgovinfo.govjustfacts.votesmart.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes and reducing regulations to help small businesses, along with measures to lower energy prices and address supply-chain infrastructure. Emphasizes pro-business, deregulatory approaches to stimulate economic growth.
Healthcare
Joseph (Joe) Severino favors a limited government role in healthcare, stating government should not be involved in women’s healthcare and emphasizing parental rights in children’s health decisions; he has framed abortion as a states’-rights issue. His campaign priorities emphasize parental control and individual choice rather than expansions of federal healthcare programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports closing the U.S. border and stronger border control as part of a platform emphasizing public safety. Statements describe border closure as a priority alongside law-and-order priorities.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate says the government should not dictate women’s health care and has stated he would not vote to ban abortion at the federal level while opposing late‑term abortion. He has described the issue as appropriate for state decision‑making and previously identified as pro‑life but has clarified he would not support a federal ban.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Joseph Severino is in the news because the Illinois governor’s race is heading into a 2026 rematch, putting him back in a high-profile contest. The primary election has just taken place, and results are being reported as counting continues in some races. Coverage around the race has also focused on the broader Illinois primary and the governor’s contest specifically.
severinoforgovernor.com+46
Articles
DQDavenport Quad-City Times4 months ago
Illinois governor’s race will be a rematch in 2026
Neutral
SLShaw Local Enewspapers7 months ago
GOP race for governor tightens up after Severino removed from ballot
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Negative
CSChicago Sun-Times5 months ago
What’s in our ballot builder - and what’s not
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 Joseph Severino for Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
Democrats of Pasadena Foothills
Public endorsement
Democrats of Pasadena Foothills endorsed Joseph Severino
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2022Total raisedCash on hand
$34.3K
$25.7K
$17.1K
$8.6K
$0
2022
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$34.3K
$0.00
$21.9K
$913.32
Source: FEC