2028 Dem Hopeful Embroiled In Scandal After Cousin’s Resignation Over Epstein Bombshell
A prominent Democratic governor considered a potential 2028 presidential contender is facing renewed political scrutiny after his cousin abruptly stepped down from a major corporate post, citing regret over past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
On Monday, Thomas J. Pritzker, 75, announced he would retire immediately as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation and would not seek reelection to the company’s board at its 2026 annual meeting.
In a statement released by the company, Pritzker acknowledged that his past contact with Epstein and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell represented a serious lapse in judgment.
“My job and responsibility is to provide good stewardship. That is important to me. Good stewardship includes ensuring a proper transition at Hyatt. Following discussions with my fellow Board members, I have decided, after serving as Executive Chairman since 2004, and with the company in a strong position, that now is the right time for me to retire from Hyatt.
“Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret,” Pritzker said. “I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner. I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.”
Tom Pritzker
Pritzker, who has served as executive chairman since 2004 and has been affiliated with Hyatt for 45 years, framed his departure as part of a broader succession plan. Still, the explicit reference to Epstein has cast a shadow beyond corporate boardrooms and into the political arena.
Thomas Pritzker is the cousin of J. B. Pritzker, the billionaire Illinois governor who has been widely floated as a potential Democratic presidential hopeful in 2028. While there is no indication that the governor had any involvement in or knowledge of his cousin’s past associations, the development places the powerful Pritzker family name back in headlines tied to the Epstein scandal.
The Epstein case has continued to reverberate years after the financier’s 2019 death in federal custody. Recent document releases and renewed media attention have reignited scrutiny of business leaders, politicians and cultural figures whose names surfaced in connection with him, even in instances where no criminal wrongdoing was alleged.
Chicago, Illinois – June 24 2022: Pro-choice pro-abortion protests in downtown Chicago after overturning of Roe v. Wade, Governor of Illinois, J. B. Pritzker, talking to protester in support
Thomas Pritzker described his resignation as part of a reflection on “good stewardship” for Hyatt and his family’s legacy. He pointed to Hyatt’s evolution over the past 25 years, including taking the company public, shifting to an asset-light model and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also referenced philanthropic efforts, including a science foundation he and his wife, Margot, have launched, saying he intends to focus more fully on those initiatives and family enterprise restructuring.
“As we look forward, that is what we will continue to do,” he wrote.
Hyatt has not yet announced who will assume the executive chairman role. The company said it remains confident in its leadership team and long-term strategy.
For Illinois’ governor, the episode represents an early test as Democrats quietly assess their post-2024 bench. Even indirect connections to Epstein remain politically sensitive, and opponents are likely to seize on the family link as 2028 speculation grows.
JB Pritzker is widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028, though he has not formally announced a campaign. The billionaire heir to the Hyatt fortune has built a national profile during his time as governor, frequently traveling to campaign for Democratic candidates and weighing in on major national issues, moves that have fueled speculation about his ambitions beyond Illinois.
While Pritzker has not ruled out a White House bid when pressed, he has consistently said his focus remains on governing Illinois and preparing for his 2026 reelection campaign. Still, political observers continue to list him among the Democrats most likely to mount a serious 2028 run, citing his fundraising power, executive experience and willingness to confront Republicans on high-profile issues.
Whether the matter carries lasting political consequences remains to be seen. But the resignation underscores how the Epstein scandal continues to generate fallout across business and political circles, even years after the crimes first came to light.