Suburban video gambling mogul Rick Heidner has launched a bid for Illinois governor, joining a packed Republican primary field that includes former State Senator and Clay County resident, Darren Bailey, conservative think tank founder Ted Dabrowski, and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick.
Heidner, owner of Gold Rush Gaming—the state’s third-largest video gaming operator—and a real estate developer, filed his campaign paperwork less than two weeks before the primary petition deadline. He named Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike as his running mate and seeded his campaign with a $1 million donation.
A longtime business figure, Heidner has donated to both Republicans and Democrats, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. He has previously faced scrutiny over real estate partnerships and a federal tax lien but was not a target in a 2019 public corruption probe.
Heidner’s campaign is chaired by Brett Corrigan, a former Bailey staffer, who describes Heidner as a “political outsider.” With Heidner’s entry, the GOP race grows more competitive, as candidates seek to take on incumbent Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, who is running for a third term and faces no major primary opposition.
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