A ballot challenge is shaking up the Illinois governor’s race, as activist Kristina McCloy moves to knock independent candidate Colin Corbett off the ballot just one week after he entered the contest.
The challenge targets Corbett’s petition signatures and escalates scrutiny of his bid shortly after he filed paperwork to appear on the ballot.
McCloy, along with Aaron Del Mar, Republican nominee Darren Bailey’s lieutenant governor running mate, filed the objection with the Illinois State Board of Elections on June 2.
“Our review of Mr. Corbett’s petitions uncovered what we believe are significant irregularities and invalid signatures that warrant further examination through the legal process,” McCloy told Prairie State Wire. “We look forward to presenting the evidence and allowing the facts to speak for themselves.”
The case is expected to receive an initial hearing June 9 before the State Officers Electoral Board, which will determine procedural matters and appoint a hearing officer to oversee the challenge.
Corbett, a political consultant from Palatine, submitted his nominating petitions on May 26.
He reported filing about 37,000 signatures—above the threshold required for independent candidates—though all remain subject to state verification and potential legal challenges.
McCloy outlined alleged signature irregularities she says justify further legal review of Corbett’s petition.
“Election laws exist for a reason. Every candidate, regardless of party or affiliation, must meet the same legal standards to earn a place on the ballot. Illinois voters deserve nothing less,” she said.
Kristina McCloy stands outside the Illinois State Board of Elections’ Chicago office after filing an objection challenging independent candidate Colin Corbett’s petition signatures. (Kristina McCloy)
Corbett announced that he was leaving the Republican Party in early May.
Just days after making that announcement, Corbett said he was entering the gubernatorial race as a centrist independent, offering voters an alternative to both major parties in what would be a rare three-way gubernatorial contest if certified.
Corbett reported receiving $1 million in campaign funds prior to seeking the 25,000 campaign petition signatures it will take to place him on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Critics have suggested Corbett was recruited by been Democrat-aligned interests looking to erase the slim 8% chance prediction markets are giving Republican nominee Darren Bailey to prevent a third term by incumbent Democrat Gov. JB Pritzker.
“When someone spends years identifying as a Republican, benefiting from Republican voters, volunteers, donors, and business relationships, only to turn around and run against the Republican ticket, it is deeply disturbing,” McCloy said. “This is about more than one election. Republicans can disagree on policy, strategy, and leadership, but we should not be creating competing parties that fracture the Republican vote.”
“Republicans do not have to agree on everything. We can debate issues, criticize one another, and hold each other accountable. That’s healthy. But at the end of the day, we are the Republican Party, and if we want to restore Illinois, we must remain united and vote Republican up and down the ballot.”
Corbett founded Cor Strategies, a political consulting firm that identifies itself in promotional materials as the “largest center-right political company in Illinois” and has managed school and local tax referendum campaigns critics say helped drive higher property taxes across Illinois.
The firm has been involved in hundreds of millions of dollars in property tax increases approved through school referendums in Illinois communities.
His consulting record has drawn scrutiny from opponents, such as Brian Costin, Deputy State Director for Americans for Prosperity-Illinois, who questioned his credibility as he runs for statewide office, noting on X “he’s a big reason of why property taxes are so high in Illinois.”
Corbett is on a leave of absence from Cor Strategies as he pursues the governorship.
