Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is putting $1 million behind Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms’ bid for Georgia governor, adding fresh outside money to a race where Republican Rick Jackson has built a commanding financial lead. The contribution, reported Oct. 20, 2026, is going to Project Battleground, a leadership committee raising money in coordination with Bottoms’ campaign. The committee can accept donations without contribution limits, according to the report. Two people familiar with Pritzker’s decision confirmed it on condition of anonymity. Jackson, a former health care executive and billionaire, has raised a combined $118 million for the governor’s race and his contested Republican primary against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Most of that money came from Jackson himself, and he has spent roughly five times as much as Bottoms, according to Georgia campaign finance records cited in the report. Bottoms’ campaign has raised $5.7 million, while Project Battleground has collected another $3.4 million to support her. Pritzker’s $1 million pledge would add to the committee’s resources as the candidates compete for attention and votes in a closely watched governor’s race. The donation is part of Pritzker’s broader effort to help Democrats in competitive 2026 contests, with particular attention to Black and Hispanic candidates. The billionaire governor is also viewed as a possible 2028 presidential contender, though the contribution is being made to influence this year’s elections.