Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
5.0%
45.7%
8.1%
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
$96.4K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusinessman
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
LocationIllinois
BackgroundBusinessman
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Notable personal detailsRick Heidner is an Illinois businessman and real estate developer. He founded and leads Gold Rush Gaming and Heidner Properties, and ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of Illinois in the 2026 election cycle with Christina Neitzke-Troike as his running mate. He has been described in media coverage as a Barrington Hills-based real estate developer and video gambling executive.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwbez.orgnprillinois.orgcms5.revize.comrickforillinois.comsjodaily.compatch.comchicago.suntimes.comcasino.orgthetelegraph.comillinoisreview.comdailykos.comabc7chicago.comcbsnews.comwirepoints.orglakecountyil.govillinoisfamily.orgmedia.iadsnetwork.compcb.illinois.govtmaillinois.orgreddit.commyjournalcourier.comshawlocal.comipmnewsroom.orgwglt.orgcapitolnewsillinois.comtheillinoize.comnacsmagazine.comyahoo.comcapitolfax.comsmorrill.comcongress.govtransparencyusa.orgkanegop.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgassets.apnews.comballotready.orgnga.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orghistory.house.govgovinfo.govfec.govclerk.house.govtransition.fec.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Heidner's campaign emphasizes tax relief and reducing government spending, arguing Illinois has a spending problem rather than a revenue problem and pledging to deliver budget accountability and put money back in taxpayers' pockets. His priorities call for fighting high property and gas taxes and improving the business climate to create jobs.
Immigration & Border
Supports ending sanctuary protections in Illinois, directing state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities (ICE), and backing strong federal enforcement measures; has advocated repealing the TRUST Act and endorsed a crackdown on illegal immigration while criticizing state spending for undocumented immigrants.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Rick Heidner has campaigned as a Republican who is anti-abortion / pro‑life and supports traditional Republican positions on abortion restrictions, though his campaign website does not provide detailed policy specifics. Public reporting of his campaign appearances and forum remarks describes him as opposing abortion and positioning himself with conservative voters on the issue. No detailed legislative proposals or specific gestational-limit positions were found in the cited sources.
Climate & Energy
The candidate emphasizes lowering taxes (including criticizing Illinois’ gas tax) and promoting a pro-business, pro‑fuel retail environment. His campaign priorities focus on tax relief and reducing regulation rather than adopting aggressive emissions or clean‑energy targets. His business background includes ownership of fuel retail operations that supply gasoline and diesel and that have added EV chargers at some sites.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate emphasizes tougher criminal justice policies and stronger support for police, arguing for detaining dangerous offenders and reversing aspects of Illinois’ SAFE‑T Act. Heidner and other GOP primary candidates have said they support protecting Second Amendment rights.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 11, 2026
Rick Heidner is in the news because he is one of four Republican candidates competing to challenge Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in the 2026 election. The Illinois primary has now been held, and the Republican field is being sorted out as results are reported. Coverage of the race says the governor’s contest is shaping up as a rematch-style matchup in the general election, with Darren Bailey emerging as the Republican nominee.
en.wikipedia.org+46
Articles
DQDavenport Quad-City Times3 months ago
Illinois governor’s race will be a rematch in 2026
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
CSChicago Sun-Times3 months ago
What’s in our ballot builder - and what’s not
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.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising