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Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
34.4%
8.2%
5.4%
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
$65.6K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSmall business owner
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
LocationIllinois
BackgroundSmall business owner
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Notable personal detailsJoseph Severino is an Illinois Republican candidate who ran for the U.S. House in Illinois's 10th Congressional District in 2022. He later filed to run for Governor of Illinois in the 2026 Republican primary with Rantch Isquith as his lieutenant governor running mate, but his ticket was not certified for the March 17, 2026 primary ballot following objections to petition signatures. He has described himself as a small business owner and has been described as a capital management professional.
SourcesShowHide
ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.netseverinoforgovernor.comfec.govdailyherald.comshawlocal.comtransparencyusa.orgen.wikipedia.orgbnd.comaxios.com25newsnow.comillinoisrecord.compolitics1.comcbsnews.comivoterguide.comjibudocs.comrobinhood.comclerk2.kanecountyil.govwincoil.govseverinoforcongress.comyahoo.comnewswire.comvsnewsnetwork.comballotready.orgillinoisdelivered.comjwcmedia.comyournews.comrepseverin.commy.alongwalker.copolitico.comthenation.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgnga.orghistory.house.govcongress.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes and reducing regulations to help small businesses, along with measures to lower energy prices and address supply-chain infrastructure. Emphasizes pro-business, deregulatory approaches to stimulate economic growth.
Healthcare
Joseph (Joe) Severino favors a limited government role in healthcare, stating government should not be involved in women’s healthcare and emphasizing parental rights in children’s health decisions; he has framed abortion as a states’-rights issue. His campaign priorities emphasize parental control and individual choice rather than expansions of federal healthcare programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports closing the U.S. border and stronger border control as part of a platform emphasizing public safety. Statements describe border closure as a priority alongside law-and-order priorities.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate says the government should not dictate women’s health care and has stated he would not vote to ban abortion at the federal level while opposing late‑term abortion. He has described the issue as appropriate for state decision‑making and previously identified as pro‑life but has clarified he would not support a federal ban.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJan 8, 2026
The GOP field of candidates running for governor in the March 17 primary is down to four, after an Illinois State Board of Elections vote Thursday.
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Polls
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2022Total raisedCash on hand
$34.3K
$25.7K
$17.1K
$8.6K
$0
2022
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$34.3K
$0.00
$21.9K
$913.32
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements