Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a moderate Republican who served two terms in the 1990s and later broke with the party’s hard-right turn, died Sunday at age 79 from complications related to his treatment for pancreatic cancer, his family said.
Edgar served as Illinois governor from 1991 to 1999. He had earlier represented his district in the Illinois House and served as Illinois secretary of state during the 1980s. In a family statement announcing his death, relatives said, “We are deeply grateful for the love, support, and kindness so many have shown to Jim and our family over these last several months.” The statement did not provide details on funeral or memorial plans.
After the rise of Donald Trump, Edgar became one of the more prominent Republicans to distance himself from the party’s rightward shift. In 2024 he publicly endorsed Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump, a move that underscored his break with the GOP’s direction in recent years.
Edgar announced his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in February and spoke candidly about his outlook in interviews. He told Politico he was trying to remain positive and joked about using political commentary as a diversion from his illness, saying, “And I like to trash Trump some, so there’s a lot of things to keep it off my mind.”
Colleagues and observers often described Edgar as a pragmatic, policy-focused leader who sought bipartisan solutions while in office. He was known within Illinois politics for his steady stewardship of the governor’s office during the 1990s and for a political style that contrasted with the rising populist current in national Republican politics.
His death marks the passing of a figure who played a long role in Illinois state government across several decades, from the legislature to statewide executive office. The family’s announcement asked for privacy as they grieve and thanked those who offered support during his illness.