Gov. JB Pritzker will speak before New Hampshire Democrats next month to highlight the dangers of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s hacks to the federal government.
The Democratic governor has not yet announced whether he’ll seek a third term for governor, and he has consistently tamped down talk of his presidential aspirations. But for now, Pritzker is depicting himself as a leader of the Democratic resistance against Trump, and his national appearances have focused on standing up to authoritarianism.
Pritzker will headline the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s McIntyre-Shaheen 100-Club Dinner on April 27 in Manchester. Pritzker’s team said the fundraiser is one of several speaking invitations he’s received so far this year. He plans to focus on the threat of Medicaid cuts, the impacts of Musk’s federal government gutting, and its impact on everyday Americans, aides said.
The Democratic governor has upped his national media exposure this year, including interviews on ABC’s “The View,” CNN and MSNBC, as well as appearances on popular podcasts, including “The Blueprint with Jen Psaki,” “American Fever Dream,” and “Raging Moderates.”
In his joint State of the State and budget address last month, Pritzker claimed he isn’t sounding the alarm because of his “ambitions,” but more so because of a moral obligation.
“My oath is to the Constitution of our state and of our country. We don’t have kings in America, and I don’t intend to bend the knee to one,” Pritzker said. I am not speaking up in service to my ambitions — but in deference to my obligations.”
The Democratic governor spoke before the New Hampshire Democrats in June 2022, which sparked speculation of a White House bid. At the time, Pritzker aides tried to quell the talk of presidential aspirations, saying the trip was intended to help support Democrats in their fight for reproductive rights.
Prior to 2024, New Hampshire served as the first-in-the-nation primary and Iowa served as the first-in-the-nation caucuses. But last year, Democrats opted to give South Carolina the top spot, followed by Nevada, Georgia and Michigan, in an effort to give diverse populations more of an early voice in the long slog of an election year. A new primary calendar — which helps determine where presidential candidates must spend their money and time — is something the Democratic National Committee will explore for the 2028 cycle.
Pritzker was on a shortlist of Democrats under consideration to join Kamala Harris campaign as her vice presidential pick, but Harris ultimately chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
The Illinois governor is expected to make a decision about a third term in the coming months.