Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
5.8%
39.4%
6.4%
5.0%
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
$65.6K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSheriff
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
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BackgroundLaw enforcement officer
Notable personal detailsJames Mendrick is an American law enforcement official who has served as Sheriff of DuPage County, Illinois, elected in 2018. He ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of Illinois in the 2026 election cycle with Robert Renteria as his running mate for lieutenant governor. Mendrick’s public career centers on county-level law enforcement administration and public safety.
SourcesShowHide
ilsheriff.orgpatch.commendrick4governor2026.comnews.wttw.comen.wikipedia.orgbnd.comwbez.orgchicago.suntimes.comshawlocal.comwglt.orgcbsnews.comstatic1.squarespace.comdupagecounty.govidoc.illinois.govkendallcountyil.govmchenrycountyil.govsjodaily.comfox32chicago.comipmnewsroom.orgmahometdaily.comnprillinois.orgmyjournalcourier.comyahoo.comstgop.orgwandtv.comdgtro.orgmichigandems.comrewirenewsgroup.comkob.commy.alongwalker.coabc7chicago.comaxios.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgnodeassets.nbcnews.comstatic.politico.comcdn.cnn.compolitico.comballotready.orgcasten.house.govnga.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgdemocrats-judiciary.house.govoversight.house.govlaborcaucus.house.govdemocrats-homeland.house.govduckworth.senate.govcongress.govfec.govhistory.house.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes and cutting regulations to attract businesses, auditing government spending to eliminate waste, and balancing the state budget without deficit spending. Advocates fiscal responsibility and business-friendly policies to grow jobs and the economy.
Healthcare
Supports reducing state-funded healthcare spending (including programs for undocumented immigrants) and expanding treatment-focused programs in jails; emphasizes cutting wasteful government spending on healthcare and prioritizing fiscal restraint. Campaign materials highlight partnerships with local health departments for medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) for inmates and addiction recovery programs. News coverage records Mendrick criticizing Illinois’ immigrant healthcare spending and calling for policy changes to end such programs.
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Immigration & Border
Supports ending Illinois’ sanctuary policies, restoring state cooperation with federal immigration authorities (including granting ICE access to county jails), and removing criminal noncitizen migrants from custody prior to release. Frames immigrant-related state spending as a problem and favors stronger enforcement measures rather than expanded legal pathways or regularization.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
James Mendrick is in the news as one of the Illinois GOP candidates running for governor in the 2026 election. Recent election coverage also highlights that the Illinois primary is approaching, with voters able to choose party ballots and use early voting, mail-in ballots, and some same-day registration options.
ilsheriff.org+49
Articles
N5NBC 5 Chicago4 months ago
A voter’s guide for the 2026 Illinois primary election
Neutral
CSChicago Sun-Times4 months ago
Is Chicago's food hall era over?
Neutral
PJPeoria Journal Star3 months ago
Four running to take on Pritzker
Neutral
FNFox News5 months ago
Obama Presidential Center slammed for promoting ‘far-left' agenda on public land
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