Ted Dabrowski, a candidate for governor of Illinois, has expressed his support for celebrating Columbus Day, emphasizing its significance in honoring Italian-American heritage and successful assimilation. He opposes efforts to rename the holiday. This statement was made in a press release.
“Celebrate Columbus Day, reject those who try to divide us,” said Dabrowski, Gubernatorial Candidate. “Columbus Day is a day to honor Italian-American heritage and to mark a triumph of assimilation done the right way – by embracing American values while still holding onto one’s roots. President Biden’s designation of Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day was yet another brazen effort to divide us. Let’s all celebrate Columbus Day as an example of immigrant success – and of belonging to the great American Experiment.”
In recent years, the debate over Columbus Day versus Indigenous Peoples’ Day has intensified across the United States, including in Illinois. State law recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day in late September, while many communities continue to observe Columbus Day in October. According to NBC Chicago, this divide is evident as Chicago maintains its Columbus Day parade even as schools acknowledge Indigenous observances.
Recent polling indicates that Americans are increasingly supportive of honoring Indigenous peoples over Columbus. A YouGov survey conducted on October 11, 2024, found that 63% of respondents supported a federal day honoring Indigenous peoples, while 44% approved of celebrating Columbus Day. The disapproval rate was lower for the Indigenous observance (5%) compared to Columbus Day (23%). The survey also revealed cross-partisan backing for an Indigenous observance.
As reported by Pew Research Center in October 2025, 17 states and Washington D.C. now honor Native Americans on the second Monday in October. Meanwhile, 30 states still recognize Columbus Day in some form, with 20 making it a paid holiday. Several states mark both holidays on the same day, and South Dakota observes “Native Americans’ Day.” Since 2023, Minnesota has enacted a law creating Indigenous Peoples’ Day and eliminating Columbus Day.
According to Capitol News Illinois on September 15, 2025, Ted Dabrowski is currently serving as president of Wirepoints and has announced his candidacy for Illinois governor in the upcoming 2026 election. The outlet reports that he previously served as vice president at the Illinois Policy Institute and worked in international finance at Citibank in Mexico and Poland. His policy focus includes issues such as Illinois taxes, pensions, crime, and education.
