MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) 鈥� Illinois Gov. sharply criticized fellow Democrats on Sunday for not doing enough to oppose President , drawing a clear divide between himself and other high-profile Democrats seen as future presidential contenders.
Pritzker delivered the keynote address at the New Hampshire Democratic Party鈥檚 McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner, the latest and most high-profile in a this year.
While Pritzker continued to attack Trump, he also focused on what he says are shortcomings in his own party, assailing Democrats for listening to 鈥渁 bunch of know-nothing political types鈥� instead of everyday Americans. Without naming names, he called out Democrats 鈥渇locking to podcasts and cable news shows to admonish fellow Democrats for not caring enough about the struggles of working families.鈥�
鈥淭hose same do-nothing Democrats want to blame our losses on our defense of Black people, of trans kids, of immigrants, instead of their own lack of guts and gumption,鈥� Pritzker said.
The second-term governor has yet to say whether he will run for that office again in 2026, but the billionaire Hyatt heir has been laying the groundwork for a potential presidential campaign for years.
Notably, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, another high-profile 2028 contender, that the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador and detained at one point in a notorious megaprison, was a 鈥渄istraction鈥� from issues such as . Newsom also said on his podcast's inaugural episode that competing in women's sports.
Polling suggests and that a majority of Democrats also oppose trans participation in women's sports.
Pritzker on Sunday night said it was no time for Democrats to be in despair.
鈥淣ever before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption, but I am now,鈥� he said, stressing that the party 鈥渕ust castigate them on the soapbox and then punish them at the ballot box.鈥�
Pritzker has already spoken this year at the Human Rights Campaign鈥檚 Los Angeles dinner and is scheduled to headline a Minnesota Democratic dinner in June. He drew national attention in February when he used part of his joint budget and State of the State address to draw a parallel between Trump鈥檚 rhetoric and the rise of Nazi Germany.
On Sunday, Pritzker again invoked his Jewish faith, criticizing Trump鈥檚 efforts to deport foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. He called on Trump to 鈥渟top tearing down the Constitution in the name of my ancestors,鈥� a line that drew a standing ovation from the crowd.
But Pritzker was also adamant in calling out the 鈥渄o-nothing Democrats,鈥� asserting that while the party 鈥渕ay need to fix our messaging and strategy, our values are exactly where they should be.鈥� He added, 鈥淲e will never join so many Republicans in a special place in hell reserved for quislings and cowards.鈥�
Lou D'Allesandro, who retired from the New Hampshire State Senate last year after five decades in public service and met Pritzker in Chicago years ago, said the Illinois governor 鈥渉as all the ingredients to make it to the big time.鈥�
鈥淗e's very quick on his feet, very gregarious,鈥� he said. But any Democrat who wants to win in 2028 has their work cut out for them, he said.
鈥淭hey've got to reintroduce themselves to the grassroots,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey've got to let people know Democrats care about them, or they're gonna be in big trouble.鈥�
Last year鈥檚 featured speaker at the McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club dinner was Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who went on to become his party's vice presidential nominee.
The annual event is especially significant among state Democratic fundraisers given New Hampshire鈥檚 historic role holding the nation鈥檚 first presidential primary, though Democrats last year moved South Carolina ahead at the behest of former President Joe Biden.
The first 100 Club dinner was held in 1959 to promote the presidential candidacy of John F. Kennedy. In 2020, speakers included 10 Democratic candidates for president.
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Cappelletti reported from Saugatuck, Michigan.
Joey Cappelletti And Holly Ramer, The Associated Press
