Governor of Illinois
Collin Corbett
Political strategist and small-business ownerIndependent
- Race
- Governor of Illinois
- Election
- 2026-11-03
- Opponents
- JB Pritzker (D); Darren Bailey (R)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did2 statements · 0 votes
Politicians have proven they cannot be trusted with the power to raise income taxes on targeted groups, a power they would abuse on an annual basis as they continue to struggle to balance their budgets.
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotGovernor
2026-11-03
| JB Pritzker D | incumbent |
| Darren Bailey R | challenger |
| Collin Corbett Independent | challenger |
Running as an independent with Lt. Gov. candidate Carolyn Schofield, a former Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
Politicians have proven they cannot be trusted with the power to raise income taxes on targeted groups, a power they would abuse on an annual basis as they continue to struggle to balance their budgets.
His platform says the state's flat income tax is 'necessary in Illinois under the current leadership' and opposes giving politicians power to raise income taxes on targeted groups, while proposing larger earned-income and child tax credits.[4]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Proposes reducing mandates and permitting delays, impact-fee transparency, matching grants for local zoning and planning updates, and an opt-in permitting program for local governments that includes one for 'missing middle' housing, while preserving local control.
Documented position[4]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
Collin Corbett is a political strategist and small-business owner who is running for governor of Illinois as an independent after a career as a Republican campaign strategist. His platform emphasizes affordability, including tax changes, and fixing the Department of Children and Family Services, and he says he wants to bring more balance to the race.[1][2][3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Corbett lives in Palatine and founded Cor Strategies, EmpowerPolitics and Long9 Studio.[1][2] He says he has recruited and trained over 3,500 people to participate in politics.[1] Cor Strategies has helped Republican candidates run for office.[2]
Corbett left Cor Strategies after the primary, saying he was concerned that the Republican Party supports violent immigration raids and no longer welcomes opposing opinions, and he ended his "Smoke-Filled Room" podcast.[2] He filed about 37,000 signatures to run for governor as an independent on May 26, 2026.[2] His running mate is Carolyn Schofield of Crystal Lake, a former Republican McHenry County Board member.[2]
Corbett has said he wants to bring a more balanced voice to a race between Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican nominee Darren Bailey.[2] His platform calls for property, sales and income tax changes and for making fixes at DCFS a top priority.[3]
In their own words
Priorities
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Faster transition away from fossil fuels
“We will bring down energy costs and restore reliability while moving into our clean energy future.”[4]
On his campaign platform page, Energy section
- Universal, publicly funded child care
“We will increase access to childcare, lower costs, and raise wages for families.”[4]
On his campaign platform page, Affordability section
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/collin-corbett
Compare all 3 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.About Collin · Collin for Illinois campaign · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
- 2.Former Republican strategist Collin Corbett files to run for governor as independent · Capitol News Illinois · 2026-05-26 News report
- 3.Platform for Illinois · Collin for Illinois campaign · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
- 4.Platform for Illinois · Collin for Illinois campaign · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words