DUPAGE COUNTY (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – The first candidate for the 2026 Illinois governor’s race has emerged.
DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced Thursday morning that he is running for Governor of Illinois. In a lengthy Facebook post, Mendick revealed he will not be seeking a third term as sheriff next year, describing it as a “very hard decision.” He cited frustration with the elimination of cash bail as well as sanctuary city laws as motivation for running.
“My family and I have decided that we want our State back,” Mednrick wrote. “We don’t like being fearful of crime that is randomly occurring now in our streets, homes and our retail stores due to soft on crime legislation. We don’t want to move out of Illinois like so much of our population. We really don’t. We love this state. That’s why I’ve decided to run for the Office of Governor of Illinois.
Mendrick added that crime will be his top priority…