Illinois Governor JB Pritzker entered a ballroom packed with influential New Hampshire Democrats on Sunday, and by the end of his nearly 30-minute address, he had energized them to rally against President Trump.
“It’s time to fight everywhere and all at once,” he urged the gathering of Democratic activists, officials, and donors, prompting a standing ovation filled with cheers. “Never before have I called for mass protests, mobilization, and disruption. But today, I am. These Republicans must not enjoy a moment of peace.”
“The reckoning is finally here,” he announced.
This applies not just to the Trump administration, but to his own party as well.
In the ongoing battle for the future of the Democratic Party, Mr. Pritzker has taken on the role of a leader for a faction demanding relentless, unapologetic attacks on Trump, his Republican supporters, and their right-wing agenda.
His remarks constituted a more aggressive and comprehensive call to action than perhaps any other prominent liberal figure since Trump took office, second only to the rallying calls from Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York during their Western tour. However, Mr. Pritzker’s impassioned speech took place in a state known for its long-standing influence in presidential primaries, which is notable in itself.
Mr. Pritzker clearly dismissed any notion that his appearance in Manchester, N.H., marked the start of the 2028 Democratic primary race, stating he was focused on supporting the party’s efforts for next year’s midterm elections.
Yet, his presence is likely to fuel speculation. Mr. Pritzker is a prominent figure in Democratic politics, serving as one of the party’s leading elected officials, a generous donor, and a much-discussed prospect for the 2028 presidential nomination.
“I’m one of the people leading the fight, and that is my role,” he shared in an interview prior to his speech. “We’ve accomplished so much in Illinois, and we can replicate that success in other states.”
While other governors have made clumsy attempts to reconcile with Trump, Mr. Pritzker has positioned his state as a stronghold against the administration’s immigration crackdowns, federal budget cuts, and tariffs on foreign nations.
He has done this while some congressional Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have advocated for a more selective approach to attacking the president to avoid alienating independent voters who may have supported him. Conversely, Mr. Pritzker wants the party to adopt a stance of zero accommodation.
“The main divide within the Democratic Party is not between left and right; it’s whether you perceive this as a constitutional crisis or as business as usual,” explained Ezra Levin, co-founder of the progressive activist group Indivisible. “Pritzker is truly demonstrating what it means to lead an opposition party against the overreach of the federal government.”
Recently, Mr. Pritzker has preached a message of steadfast resistance to some of the most active Democratic activists nationwide, presenting keynote addresses at fundraisers in Illinois and Austin, Texas, along with an annual gala for the Human Rights Campaign in Los Angeles. Next month, he is expected to speak at a fundraising dinner in Detroit for the Michigan Democratic Party.
In his New Hampshire speech, he criticized Democrats who have scolded the party for perceived overreach as “timid, not bold.”
“Fellow Democrats, for too long we’ve listened to a bunch of do-nothing political figures who claim that America’s house isn’t on fire, even as the flames are at our doorstep,” he stated. “Today, as the blaze spreads, those same pundits and politicians—whose cowardice fueled the arsonists—tell us not to reach for a hose.”
Though he did not name names, his targets were clear: California Governor Gavin Newsom, who hosts a podcast featuring figures from the MAGA movement, and Democratic strategist James Carville, who has suggested a “strategic political retreat” until Trump’s approval ratings decline.
“Those same do-nothing Democrats aim to blame our losses on our commitment to defending Black individuals, transgender youth, and immigrants,” Mr. Pritzker asserted, “rather than their own lack of courage and resolve.”
His remarks illustrated that, for now, Democrats are primarily divided not over healthcare or other policy matters, but over how vehemently they should oppose Trump and his agenda.
While some party donors and consultants have called for moderation, Mr. Pritzker is tapping into the Democratic base’s intense yearning for a conflict—and for a leader.
“Voters did not turn out for Democrats last November—not because they don’t want us to fight for our values, but because they believe we aren’t fighting for our values,” he emphasized in his speech. “We need to shed the rust of poll-tested language and decades of outdated decorum. It has clouded our better instincts.”
Neera Tanden, the president of the Center for American Progress and a longstanding figure in Democratic politics, forecast that these early months of the Trump administration could have lasting effects in the 2028 primary contest. Voters, she noted, will remember how potential presidential candidates acted.
“People will recall how Democrats behaved during this critical moment,” said Ms. Tanden, whose organization hosted Mr. Pritzker this year. “At the time when Trump posed the greatest threat, did Democrats roll over? Did they seek common ground with right-wing individuals? Or did they stand up for our values?”
As an heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, with a net worth estimated at around $3.5 billion, Mr. Pritzker is among the wealthiest elected officials in the nation—a position that grants him a degree of political autonomy as he is less reliant on party donors.
In 2018, he transitioned from a longstanding donor, significantly supporting Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns, to a formidable politician in his own right. He has self-funded two gubernatorial campaigns and has supported Democratic candidates in battleground states, particularly Wisconsin.
In 2023, as he expanded his political influence, Mr. Pritzker established a political action committee called Think Big America, which invested millions in efforts to secure abortion rights in state law.
Even prior to President Joe Biden’s challenging debate performance last year, Mr. Pritzker was discussed as the Democrats’ “break glass” nominee—a candidate able to finance a White House run at a moment’s notice.
Instead, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and hosted a celebratory convention in Chicago, even unveiling his own craft beer labeled JBeers.
Unlike the 2024 cycle, the 2028 Democratic primary is anticipated to be crowded and open, with less regard for seniority or political experience. As the early moves begin, some Democrats feel Mr. Pritzker could emerge as a strong contender due to his wealth and deep party connections.
However, first, he faces the 2026 campaign for his third term as Illinois governor. While no official commitment has been made, he is broadly expected to seek re-election. The strength of his political influence will also be evaluated in the Illinois Senate race, where he has backed his lieutenant governor—who is likely to confront multiple well-funded Democratic primary challengers.
Those close to the governor assert that his current actions are motivated less by a desire to advance his position for 2028, and more by a genuine belief that Trump poses a significant threat to American democracy and global stability.
“I don’t think he’s crafting a persona around this,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a friend of Mr. Pritzker’s and the Democratic vice-presidential nominee last year. “On issues of authoritarianism, JB feels very strongly. He finds the direction Trump’s leadership takes to be morally reprehensible.”
Unlike many other Democrats, who processed a period of mourning after the election, Mr. Pritzker was prepared to confront Trump almost immediately. As troubling results from Virginia appeared on cable news networks early on election night, he shifted into battle mode for what he termed Trump 2.0, as reported by a source familiar with the discussions.
Two days post-election, Mr. Pritzker informed reporters that his administration “was not unprepared” for a Trump win, as planning had begun months earlier, preparing his state with stockpiles of abortion medication and plans to sue the federal government.
And he issued a powerful warning: “You come for my people, you come through me.”
Aides attribute Mr. Pritzker’s activism to his family history and Jewish faith. His ancestors escaped pogroms in Ukraine to find success in America. He championed the creation of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and has consistently likened Trump’s actions to those of Nazi Germany—a comparison that has divided his advisers.
“What we’re witnessing now mirrors 1930s Germany; the only way to prevent that from recurring is to vocally resist,” said Anne Caprara, Mr. Pritzker’s long-time chief of staff. “This is what motivates all of his actions today.”