Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
5.0%
45.7%
8.1%
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
$65.6K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusinessman
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
LocationIllinois
BackgroundBusinessman
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Notable personal detailsRick Heidner is an American businessman and real estate developer based in Illinois. He founded Gold Rush Gaming and leads Heidner Properties, and has been involved in the video gaming and commercial real estate sectors. He ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of Illinois in the 2026 election cycle, with Christina Neitzke-Troike as his lieutenant governor running mate.
SourcesShowHide
rickforillinois.comen.wikipedia.orgnprillinois.orgwbez.orgsjodaily.comchicago.suntimes.comwill.illinois.edupatch.comshawlocal.compcb.illinois.govlakecountyil.govillinoisfamily.orgcms5.revize.comptab.illinois.govstatic1.squarespace.comreddit.commyjournalcourier.comipmnewsroom.orgwglt.orgcapitolnewsillinois.comtheillinoize.comnacsmagazine.comyahoo.comcapitolfax.comsmorrill.comcongress.govtransparencyusa.orgkanegop.orgcbsnews.comaxios.comfoxnews.comnoticias.foxnews.comstatic.foxnews.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgnewscms.nbcnews.comcontent-static.usatoday.comballotready.orgnga.orgsbc.senate.govdocquery.fec.govgovinfo.govfec.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Heidner's campaign emphasizes tax relief and reducing government spending, arguing Illinois has a spending problem rather than a revenue problem and pledging to deliver budget accountability and put money back in taxpayers' pockets. His priorities call for fighting high property and gas taxes and improving the business climate to create jobs.
Immigration & Border
Supports ending sanctuary protections in Illinois, directing state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities (ICE), and backing strong federal enforcement measures; has advocated repealing the TRUST Act and endorsed a crackdown on illegal immigration while criticizing state spending for undocumented immigrants.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Rick Heidner has campaigned as a Republican who is anti-abortion / pro‑life and supports traditional Republican positions on abortion restrictions, though his campaign website does not provide detailed policy specifics. Public reporting of his campaign appearances and forum remarks describes him as opposing abortion and positioning himself with conservative voters on the issue. No detailed legislative proposals or specific gestational-limit positions were found in the cited sources.
Climate & Energy
The candidate emphasizes lowering taxes (including criticizing Illinois’ gas tax) and promoting a pro-business, pro‑fuel retail environment. His campaign priorities focus on tax relief and reducing regulation rather than adopting aggressive emissions or clean‑energy targets. His business background includes ownership of fuel retail operations that supply gasoline and diesel and that have added EV chargers at some sites.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate emphasizes tougher criminal justice policies and stronger support for police, arguing for detaining dangerous offenders and reversing aspects of Illinois’ SAFE‑T Act. Heidner and other GOP primary candidates have said they support protecting Second Amendment rights.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Rick Heidner is in the news as a candidate in the 2026 Illinois primary, where multiple contenders are seeking higher office. He is also listed among Illinois GOP candidates running for governor against J.B. Pritzker.
rickforillinois.com+42
Articles
PJPeoria Journal Star3 months ago
Four running to take on Pritzker
Neutral
CSChicago Sun-Times4 months ago
Is Chicago's food hall era over?
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago3 months ago
Here are candidates looking for higher office in Illinois primary
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