Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
34.4%
8.2%
5.4%
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 (alumnus)
Notable personal detailsJoseph Severino is an Illinois Republican who ran for the 2026 Republican nomination for Governor of Illinois with running mate Rantch Isquith. He is a small business owner and has described himself as a Harvard Business School Owner/President Management (OPM) program alumnus and as having passed California’s First-Year Law Students’ Examination ("Baby Bar"). In January 2026, the Illinois State Board of Elections removed Severino and Isquith from the Republican primary ballot for insufficient petition signatures, and the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed that decision for the March 17, 2026 primary.
SourcesShowHide
severinoforgovernor.comdailyherald.com25newsnow.comilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.neten.wikipedia.orgbnd.comaxios.compolitics1.comwill.illinois.eduwbez.orgpatch.comwglt.orgkfvs12.comclerk2.kanecountyil.govfec.govseverinoforcongress.comyahoo.comnewswire.comvsnewsnetwork.comballotready.orgillinoisdelivered.comjwcmedia.comyournews.comshawlocal.comrepseverin.comtransparencyusa.orgmy.alongwalker.copolitico.comthenation.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgnga.orgdurbin.senate.govgovinfo.govclerk.house.govcongress.gov
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 updatedJun 11, 2026
Joseph Severino is in the news because the Illinois primary has just wrapped up and results are being reported for the governor’s race. The race is shaping up as a rematch in the 2026 Illinois governor’s contest, making him part of a closely watched political matchup. Coverage so far is focused on vote counting and the broader primary results, with some races still awaiting final totals.
severinoforgovernor.com+38
Articles
DQDavenport Quad-City Times3 months ago
Illinois governor’s race will be a rematch in 2026
Neutral
SLShaw Local Enewspapers5 months ago
GOP race for governor tightens up after Severino removed from ballot
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Negative
CSChicago Sun-Times3 months ago
What’s in our ballot builder - and what’s not
Neutral
SLShaw Local Enewspapers3 months ago
Election 2026: DuPage County election results, races to watch
Neutral
Polls
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements