(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – What Illinois could use, Ted Dabrowski says, is “a Polish guy who speaks pretty good Spanish” as governor.

Dabrowski kicked off his campaign for the 2026 Republican nomination for governor Friday.

The former banker and former president of the policy and commentary organization Wirepoints said Illinoisans have “(Gov. JB) Pritzker fatigue” and need him to help rescue the state from the two-term Democratic incumbent’s failed policies.

“Gov. Pritzker has made Illinois less prosperous, less educated, less safe, and a less desirable place to live,” Dabrowski said, “and, unfortunately, the governor uses often extreme and reckless rhetoric which coarsens our politics and generates discord.”

Dabrowski, of Wilmette, said his running mate would be Dr. Carrie Mendoza, a Chicago area emergency room physician.

Dabrowski did not discuss any primary opponents, nor did he take questions, during Friday’s Facebook Live announcement.

Shortly before the announcement, Bailey for Illinois, the campaign of 2022 Republican nominee Darren Bailey, announced results of a survey of 1,008 likely general election voters. The survey, commissioned by the Bailey campaign and performed by Reveille Research, show the following results:

Unsure – 55%
Bailey – 31%
Another Candidate – 6%
DuPage Co Sheriff Jim Mendrick – 5%
Dabrowski – 3%

The survey was conducted Sept. 4-6.

Illinois’ primary election is March 17.