Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) escalated his criticism of Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday, branding him President Trump's “chief bootlicker” during an appearance on MSNBC's “The Briefing” with Jen Psaki. The sharp rebuke comes as Pritzker prepares to travel to Texas on Wednesday, a move timed to coincide with the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
“We're going to make sure that the public understands that, we're going to remind people of what the policies have been that JD Vance has stood with Donald Trump on,” Pritzker said. “We're not going to let JD Vance try to run away and say, oh, he's a rational Republican, while Donald Trump is, of course, suffering from dementia and taking us off the deep end.”
Vance is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on Thursday, the second day of the Dallas convention, where Trump is also expected to rally GOP supporters ahead of the midterms. The Illinois governor's comments add a personal edge to an already contentious political landscape, as both Pritzker and Vance are frequently mentioned as potential 2028 presidential contenders.
The jab lands amid a difficult stretch for the administration. Republicans are grappling with the unpopular war with Iran, which recently passed the six-month mark, and Trump's approval ratings have slumped. Recent polls also show Democrats leading on the generic congressional ballot, fueling concerns about GOP prospects in November.
Pritzker's attack on Vance reflects a broader Democratic strategy to tie the vice president directly to Trump's most polarizing policies, including the administration's handling of the Iran conflict and domestic controversies. The governor's trip to Texas, a key battleground for midterm messaging, underscores the national stakes of the convention.
When asked last year about a potential White House bid in 2028, Pritzker demurred but left the door open. “I don't know what the future holds,” he said. “What I can tell you is I'm totally dedicated to upholding the rights of people in the state of Illinois and making sure that we're protecting them, especially from a tyrant who's taken over the White House.”
Pritzker's comments also come as Vance's policy proposals, such as his $9,000 parent pay plan, have sparked divisions among conservatives. The governor's framing aims to undercut Vance's attempts to project a more moderate image, a tactic likely to resonate with Democratic base voters.
The White House has not yet responded to The Hill's request for comment. Meanwhile, the Dallas convention is set to feature Trump's rally for GOP faithful, with Vance's keynote serving as a prelude to the president's expected address. Pritzker's visit to Texas suggests Democrats are keen to counter-program the event and sharpen their attacks on the administration's record.
With midterm elections approaching, the clash between Pritzker and Vance highlights the deepening partisan divide and the jockeying for 2028 positioning. As Pritzker put it, the goal is to ensure voters see Vance as an extension of Trump, not a break from him.
