Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
6.5%
39.4%
5.0%
Illinois Republican Governor nominee?
$65.6K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePolicy researcher
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
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BackgroundPolicy researcher
EducationGeorgia Institute of Technology — B.A. (Industrial Management) (1981–1986)
Notable personal detailsTed Dabrowski is a Republican candidate for Governor of Illinois in the 2026 cycle. He previously served as vice president of policy and spokesman for the Illinois Policy Institute (beginning in 2011) and later became president of Wirepoints (beginning in 2017). Before his policy work, he spent years in banking, including roles with Citibank/Citigroup in Mexico and Poland. He earned degrees from Georgia Tech, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.
SourcesShowHide
chicago.suntimes.compresidentlincoln.illinois.govcapitolnewsillinois.comtedforillinois.comlinkedin.comillinoisreview.comwill.illinois.eduwglt.orgen.wikipedia.orgtransparencyusa.orgwcbu.orgdailyillini.comnews.wttw.comlakecountyil.govassets.nationbuilder.comkendallcountyil.govstatic1.squarespace.comaol.commyjournalcourier.comthetelegraph.comyahoo.comcommunitynewsmarket.comsilnews.comseillinoisnews.comsangamonsun.comwjbc.comapnews.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgwikidata.orgfec.govnga.orghistory.house.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting taxes (individual income tax and property taxes), capping property tax assessed value at 1%, vetoing any tax increases, reducing state spending and regulatory burdens, and pursuing structural reforms (pension changes, municipal bankruptcy authority, consolidation of local governments) to lower costs. Advocates auditing spending to eliminate waste and using executive powers to reduce spending and deregulate.
Healthcare
The candidate advocates reducing state human-services and health-related spending, increasing oversight through audits, and rolling back programs that provide Medicaid-like benefits to undocumented immigrants. His campaign emphasizes fiscal restraint in health programs and shifting away from what he describes as expanded state-funded healthcare. He pairs his campaign with a running mate who is an emergency physician and highlights fixing perceived system failures rather than expanding public coverage programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate calls for repeal of Illinois sanctuary/SAFE-T/ TRUST-like policies, advocates cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities (ICE), and supports withholding state funding from localities that refuse to work with federal authorities to remove criminal noncitizens.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate states that life begins at conception and criticizes Illinois’ permissive abortion policies, including late-term procedures and the use of state funds for abortions. He supports policies that would restrict those practices while emphasizing support for mothers and related services.
Climate & Energy
Opposes Illinois’ zero‑emissions mandate and favors a ‘‘sensible balance’’ of fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables to lower energy costs and protect grid reliability; criticizes current green energy policies as driving up electricity prices and vows to fight those policies as governor.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports strengthening law enforcement powers and restoring policing tools, repealing the SAFE‑T Act, and cooperating with federal law enforcement to remove criminal undocumented immigrants. Platform language emphasizes prioritizing victims over criminals and improving police morale; the campaign does not prominently call for new gun restrictions or progressive gun-safety measures.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Ted Dabrowski is in the news as a candidate in the 2026 Illinois primary election, which is scheduled for March 17, 2026. Recent election coverage highlights him among the slate of candidates seeking higher office in the state, including major statewide races. One report also lists GOP candidates running against Gov. J.B. Pritzker for governor, placing Dabrowski in the broader field being tracked ahead of the primary.
chicago.suntimes.com+37
Articles
CSChicago Sun-Times4 months ago
Is Chicago's food hall era over?
Neutral
SLShaw Local Enewspapers4 months ago
Conservative policy wonk Ted Dabrowski gets off sidelines with run for governor
Positive
N5NBC 5 Chicago4 months ago
A voter’s guide for the 2026 Illinois primary election
Neutral
PJPeoria Journal Star3 months ago
Four running to take on Pritzker
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.
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