Republicans already faced a serious disadvantage in Illinois in the 2020 presidential election year, particularly after last year’s defeat of GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner who had used his wealth to try to rebuild the party. Instead, a blue wave traveled through Illinois, resulting in the election of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, all statewide elected officials, stronger supermajorities in the state legislature and two congressional seats in longtime Republican strongholds being flipped by Democrats.