Benton attorney and small business owner Bryan Drew has officially launched his campaign for Illinois Comptroller, filing his nominating petitions on Friday with more than 10,000 signatures from registered voters across the state. Drew, a lawyer with more than 25 years of experience—including arguments before the Illinois Supreme Court—is currently the only Republican to file for the statewide office. He will face the Democratic nominee in the November general election, as outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza prepares to leave the post.
“Illinois families are tired of being treated like ATMs for a government that refuses to live within its means,” Drew said in a statement. “I’m running to make sure every taxpayer dollar is spent honestly and wisely, and to shine a light on where our money really goes.”
Drew emphasized that fiscal responsibility is a bipartisan issue, highlighting his campaign’s focus on restoring public trust and increasing transparency in state spending. “The Comptroller’s job should be about accountability, not politics,” he said. “People from both sides of the aisle understand that Illinois needs honest budgeting and a government that plays by the same rules as working families.”
A Benton native, Drew operates Café Bloom with his wife, Christen, and has been active in both local business and civic affairs. He said his experience as a small business owner and attorney gives him unique insight into how state decisions impact communities throughout Illinois.
The Illinois primary election is set for March 2026, with the general election scheduled for November.