Metro East Sun

Ted Dabrowski, a candidate for governor of Illinois, said that voters desire genuine solutions rather than sound bites and expressed his intention to bring change by entering the race. This statement was made during an interview.

"Politics today are just sound bites and too many folks don't really know the issues," said Dabrowski. "I know the problems now and I know how to solve them. It was either keep complaining or get in the game. People want change."

At recent campaign events in St. Clair County, including an open house in Swansea in August, Republican candidate Dabrowski thanked local supporters and urged voters to oppose high energy costs, rising property taxes, and what he described as government mismanagement. He pledged to "do better" for Illinois families and aimed to energize GOP turnout in Metro East communities, according to his campaign and local GOP event postings.

Polling data for Illinois' 2026 governor's race indicates voter dissatisfaction with state leadership. A July 2025 survey conducted by M3 Strategies among 752 likely voters revealed that Governor J.B. Pritzker had negative favorability ratings. The poll identified high taxes as the primary concern for 60% of respondents, followed by governance, the economy, and crime. The poll had a margin of error of ±3.57%, as reported by the Illinois Policy Institute.

Illinois' economy under Governor Pritzker has experienced both challenges and resilience. According to the Civic Federation's January 2025 report, the state had the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest as of late 2024, indicating slower growth compared to its peers. However, U.S. Census Bureau data showed that Illinois' population grew in 2024 for the first time in years, primarily due to international migration. These contrasting trends are central to debates over economic management.

Dabrowski is a longtime Republican policy advocate and president of the research group Wirepoints. He previously served as vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute. In September 2025, he launched a gubernatorial campaign focused on cutting taxes, addressing crime, reforming education, and limiting immigration. His candidacy positions him as a data-driven outsider according to WTTW reporting.