By Illinois Review
Steve Cortes, a former senior adviser to President Donald Trump’s campaign, is once again inserting himself into a high-profile Republican primary — this time in Illinois.
During the 2024 presidential race, Cortes broke publicly with Trump and joined the campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. At the time, Cortes argued that Republican voters were prepared to move on from Trump and enter what he described as a “post-Trump” phase of the America First movement.
Polling suggested otherwise.
Even as Cortes backed DeSantis, Trump maintained a commanding lead over the Florida governor. In one major national poll conducted during that period, Trump led DeSantis by 31 points, 62–31. Trump went on to dominate the primary calendar, easily clearing the field and decisively winning the Iowa caucuses.
Following Trump’s victories, Cortes publicly acknowledged his miscalculation.
“I believed that Republican voters were ready for a new post-Trump chapter of the America First movement. I now believe I was wrong,” Cortes wrote, urging Republicans to unite behind Trump as the clear preference of GOP voters nationwide.
That history provides context for Cortes’ latest move.
On Sunday, Cortes expressed support on X for Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski, commenting on a post from Florida-based Chicago radio host Dan Proft praising Dabrowski’s ad.
Dabrowski, a former think-tank executive, has built his campaign around fiscal policy and government reform.
Recent polling, however, shows Dabrowski facing a steep climb. According to a WGN-TV poll, Dabrowski trails the Republican frontrunner by 26 points.
Cortes’ endorsement also places him alongside Dabrowski senior adviser Jeanne Ives, another figure who backed DeSantis over Trump during the 2024 presidential primary.
In October 2023, Ives drew attention after posting on Facebook about a Donald Trump Jr. book launch event in Illinois, suggesting the event struggled to sell tickets. The post prompted criticism from Republican activists who viewed the comment as dismissive of Trump supporters.
Cortes’ backing of Dabrowski mirrors his role in the 2024 presidential primary — supporting a candidate positioned as an alternative to the GOP base’s preferred choice while polling shows Republican voters moving decisively in a different direction.
