DALLAS — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker stated Wednesday that any Republican participating in the GOP’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas is ‘disqualified’ from running for president in 2028.
The remarks came during a counter-programming event hosted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) across the street from the Republican National Committee (RNC) convention at the American Airlines Center. The GOP event, which runs through Thursday, aims to energize the party’s base ahead of the midterm elections in November.
Pritzker’s statement was delivered at a press conference where he criticized the convention as a distraction from Republican policy failures. He argued that the event—dubbed by some as ‘Trump-a-palozza’—cannot obscure what he described as the GOP’s lack of legislative achievements.
‘Voters can see through the BS that Republicans are spewing,’ Pritzker told reporters, echoing earlier comments made at the DNC event. He further alleged that the convention is an attempt to motivate the party’s base by focusing on President Donald Trump, whom the RNC has framed as central to its midterm strategy.
RNC Chair Joe Gruters countered that the convention is designed to ‘put the president on the ballot’, emphasizing Trump’s role in mobilizing Republican voters for competitive races. Gruters stated in a pre-convention interview that the event seeks to boost turnout in key districts where control of Congress is at stake.
Pritzker’s remarks also targeted Trump directly, accusing his administration of policies that have increased costs for families, including trade wars affecting farmers and ranchers, as well as rising healthcare and housing expenses. He did not specify which Republicans he believed would be ‘disqualified’ by attending the event, nor did he outline the criteria for such a determination.
The GOP convention officially began Wednesday with a focus on motivating the party’s base and highlighting legislative priorities ahead of the midterms. Early voting in some states is scheduled to begin within weeks, with all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats up for election.
Neither the RNC nor the DNC immediately responded to requests for clarification on Pritzker’s statement or the convention’s agenda.