DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick—a 30‑year law‑enforcement veteran first elected in 2018—declared his candidacy for Governor of Illinois in February 2025, positioning himself as a Republican outsider focused on restoring public safety, fiscal responsibility, and combating crime and opioid addiction. In mid‑March, Mendrick announced Dr. Robert J. Renteria, an Army veteran, bestselling author of From the Barrio to the Board Room, and nonviolence activist, as his running mate for lieutenant governor. Renteria brings a compelling personal story of overcoming gang life, immigrant challenges, and corporate success to advocate for youth mentorship, education reform, and crime prevention