CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Christian Mitchell used a campaign stop in Champaign-Urbana to praise local leadership, promote the accomplishments of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s administration and argue that Illinois Democrats are delivering results for working families.

Mitchell, who is running alongside Pritzker in the 2026 election, spent time this past weekend meeting with elected officials, clergy, volunteers, and residents during a visit that included stops at the Urbana Farmers Market, a ministers’ breakfast and community events.

One of the things that stood out most to him was the cooperation between local governments.

“First of all, you guys have incredible elected officials here who really work well together,” Mitchell said. “Champaign and Urbana working together is incredibly important.”

He specifically praised the relationship between the two cities’ mayors.

“Just seeing Champaign and Urbana working together, incredibly important,” he said. “They really like each other, and it’s really great to see.”

Mitchell also pointed to the impact of the University of Illinois and the region’s growing economy.

“You have the university, which is incredible,” he said. “I don’t know that I’ve been to a better farmers market than the one I went to yesterday in Urbana.”

At a breakfast with local ministers, Mitchell discussed the role faith has played in his life and his concerns about the direction of national politics.

“It was great to see just how active the pastors are in the community,” he said. “I got to talk to the ministers about what faith has meant to me, how much it’s been a grounding force in my life.”

Mitchell criticized policies he said would reduce support for vulnerable residents.

“What I said is that it’s an example of a moral rot and corruption and a spiritual corruption that I think is very dangerous for our country,” he said. “People resonated with that because it helps explain what we’re seeing in our country.”

During his visit, Mitchell said residents repeatedly expressed support for Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state’s direction under Democratic leadership.

“A lot of folks came up to me at the farmers market, and they’re very excited about J.B.,” he said. “People are very supportive of what we’re doing and want us to keep up fighting.”

Mitchell said one woman told him she was grateful for Illinois’ protections of reproductive rights, while another resident who worked with food assistance programs expressed concern about federal cuts.

“She helps administer SNAP and is seeing an inability to give people what they need,” Mitchell said.

The candidate also spent time with campaign volunteers making voter outreach calls. While acknowledging that phone banking can be challenging, he said grassroots organizing remains critical.

“I prefer door knocking to phone banking 100 times out of 100,” Mitchell said. “People are kinder in person.”

Still, he said conversations with voters help explain why he remains involved in politics.

“Sometimes when I meet people who are very hurried, it’s very clear that the system has failed,” Mitchell said. “It’s the reason why I do what I do.”

Mitchell repeatedly pointed to what he called the accomplishments of the Pritzker administration as evidence that Democrats can deliver results.

“J.B. said, ‘I’m going to raise the minimum wage.’ Done,” Mitchell said. “He said we’re going to get an infrastructure bill done. Done.”

He also cited cannabis legalization, clean energy initiatives and Illinois’ assault weapons ban.

“The proof of the pudding is in the work,” he said.

When asked what distinguishes Pritzker from other wealthy politicians, Mitchell pointed to the governor’s personal history.

“He’s a good man. He’s a good leader,” Mitchell said. “He cares about people and what they think, how they live, what they need. When people are suffering, he feels it.”

Mitchell said he was honored when Pritzker asked him to join the ticket.

“He laid it out for me, and I was obviously honored and flattered,” Mitchell said. “There’s a lot of good stuff that we’ve done for the state of Illinois, and we want to keep that progress moving forward.”

Looking ahead to the campaign, Mitchell said voters should evaluate candidates based on their records.

“A campaign is a persuasion vehicle,” he said. “We’re going to tell people what we’ve done and tell them what we plan to do.”

He added that Democrats will continue focusing on economic issues affecting everyday residents.

“All those things are about making life better,” Mitchell said. “Raising wages, lowering the cost of health care and making sure we’re investing in communities.”

Despite the political focus of the visit, Mitchell also found time to enjoy some local food.

“I had an avocado BLT. It was fantastic,” he said. “I had amazing cookies from the farmers market.”

And while his schedule was packed, he said the visit left a strong impression.

“The people of Illinois are good. They’re decent,” Mitchell said. “We’re very different, very diverse, and we don’t necessarily agree on everything, but that’s not the point.”