Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called on Democrats to abandon what he described as a culture of “incrementalism” and mount a full-scale resistance to the Trump administration, criticizing his own party for what he sees as years of political timidity.
Speaking to New Hampshire Democrats at the McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner, a key stop for presidential hopefuls, Pritzker urged the party to escalate its tactics. “It’s time to fight, everywhere, all at once,” he said. “Let’s start with something basic: It’s wrong to snatch people off the street and ship them to a foreign gulag without a day in court.” The event, which drew more than 800 attendees, marked the largest Democratic gathering in New Hampshire since 2020 and signaled growing grassroots appetite for a more aggressive approach heading into 2028.
Pritzker’s New Hampshire Visit Sparks 2028 Speculation Amid Warnings on Democracy
Although Pritzker downplayed speculation about a potential White House bid, saying he has not decided whether to seek a third term as governor, his New Hampshire appearance fueled talk of broader ambitions. A billionaire with a history of self-funding campaigns, Pritzker would be well-positioned to mount a serious national effort if he chooses to run.
Throughout his political career, Pritzker has been a sharp critic of Trump. In a recent State of the State address, he warned against underestimating threats to democracy, pointing to the rapid collapse of constitutional order under Nazi Germany: “One month, three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes,” he said.
While New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary status shifted in 2024 under President Joe Biden, Democratic leaders have indicated the nominating calendar could change again before 2028, raising the state’s continued importance for prospective candidates.
Pritzker Urges Democrats to Fight Harder, Criticizes Party’s ‘Timid’ Leadership
Pritzker’s speech marked a clear escalation in rhetoric. For the first time, he called for “mass protests,” “mobilization,” and “disruption,” saying Republicans “cannot know a moment of peace.” In a follow-up interview, he called for investigations into former Trump administration officials, citing breaches of taxpayer privacy and constitutional norms. “Anybody breaking the law or violating constitutional rights should be held accountable,” he said.
He also blamed Democratic losses in the 2022 midterms not on progressive policies but on a failure to show sufficient resolve. “Voters didn’t stay home because we fight for immigrants, for Black people, or for trans kids,” Pritzker said. “They stayed home because they don’t think we’re willing to fight hard enough.”
Without naming names, Pritzker also criticized fellow Democrats who, he said, prefer podcast appearances to legislative action, a likely reference to figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom, who recently launched a podcast.
“I find it ironic,” Pritzker said, “that those who scold the party from cable news studios and podcasts are often the same ones who shrink from bold action when it matters most.”