Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced Christian Mitchell will be his running mate as he seeks a third term. Mitchell is a former three-term state representative and current First Lieutenant in the Illinois Air National Guard.

Mitchell’s candidacy ensures a person of color remains atop the ticket with Pritzker in his bid for a third term, as current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton gives up the post to run for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be relinquished by Dick Durbin.

Although J.B. Pritzker has chosen another lieutenant governor candidate from Chicago, the governor says he and his new running mate will work on behalf of the entire state of Illinois. Pritzker and Christian Mitchell made their first campaign appearance as a gubernatorial ticket Wednesday in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood,