Darren Bailey Launches Illinois Governor Bid with Fresh Chicago Plan

A New Approach to the 2024 Governor’s Race

Darren Bailey, a downstate farmer and former Republican state lawmaker, is launching his second campaign for governor with a fresh strategy that focuses more on Chicago and its suburbs than in his previous bid. This shift comes after his unsuccessful 2022 campaign, where he faced challenges in gaining support in the state's most populous region.

Bailey made this announcement during a campaign kickoff event in Bloomington, Illinois, where he emphasized that his current journey will be different from four years ago. “We’re out to win. We’re on a mission,” he stated, addressing supporters at the second leg of a three-stop tour.

The campaign began in Carterville before Bailey took a helicopter owned and piloted by his son to Bloomington. He then traveled to Oak Brook for an evening rally, showcasing his commitment to reaching voters across the state.

A Shift in Focus

Previously, Bailey had referred to Chicago as a “hellhole” during his 2022 campaign. However, this time around, he is placing greater emphasis on the city and its suburbs. One of the key changes in his campaign is the selection of Aaron Del Mar, Cook County Republican Party Chair, as his running mate. The campaign logo now features the skyline of Chicago, signaling a new direction.

Bailey believes that voters in the Chicago area are more dissatisfied with Gov. JB Pritzker than they were in 2022. “The people in Cook County, in Chicago are affected much more, I believe, than they were four years ago,” he said. He highlighted issues such as high taxes, lack of opportunities, and the rising cost of living, which have led many residents to leave the state.

Economic Concerns and Affordability

Bailey and Del Mar argue that they can better relate to the economic struggles of average Illinois residents compared to Pritzker, who is seen as a billionaire candidate. Affordability is their top issue, and they aim to address the concerns of voters who feel left behind.

A recent poll by a conservative policy organization showed Pritzker’s approval rating below 50% for the first time, indicating potential momentum for a Republican candidate. Despite Pritzker’s past victories by double digits, Bailey believes the political climate in Illinois is changing. “People have woke up and they’ve realized that, ‘wow, why did we just go through these last three years?’ And that they’re tired of it,” he said.

A New Running Mate

Bailey had not initially planned to run for governor until recently. Friends encouraged him to consider Del Mar as his running mate, despite their history of disagreements. They met earlier this month to resolve their differences and commit to a unified campaign.

Del Mar, who has been active in suburban Republican politics, was previously the running mate of Gary Rabine in the 2022 GOP primary for governor. He told Bailey’s supporters that he had planned to run for governor himself but changed his mind after meeting Bailey.

Bailey’s 2022 running mate was Stephanie Trussell, a DuPage County resident and conservative radio host.

Background on Darren Bailey

Bailey owns and operates a more than 12,000-acre farm in Clay County south of Effingham. His campaign has centered on the values of hard work and family, which he learned from his farming experience. In 2022, he ran a TV ad highlighting his hands-on approach to building his business, contrasting it with Pritzker, who inherited wealth.

Bailey was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. His political profile grew in 2020 when he filed lawsuits challenging Illinois’ stay-at-home and mask orders during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. These legal actions earned him support among conservatives who believed the restrictions were unconstitutional.

He won a seat in the Illinois Senate in 2020 and launched his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, aiming to capitalize on his reputation as a vocal opponent of pandemic measures in the legislature.

Past Campaign Results

In the 2022 Republican primary, Bailey won comfortably with 57% of the vote, defeating six candidates, including Richard Irvin, a favored establishment candidate. Irvin struggled to articulate his positions, while Bailey appealed to conservative voters. Some of his support came from Pritzker’s campaign, which ran ads attacking Bailey as “too conservative” for Illinois. These ads inadvertently boosted Bailey’s conservative credentials, helping him win 100 of 102 counties.

However, Bailey faced difficulties in the general election against Pritzker, who won by a 13-point margin. Bailey received 42% of the vote, including only 24% in Cook County.

In 2024, Bailey returned to the campaign trail, positioning himself as a more conservative alternative to U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in the 12th Congressional District. Despite Trump’s endorsement of Bost, Bailey came up short by about 2,700 votes.

Bailey has not spoken with Trump yet but would consider seeking his endorsement. He joins the Republican primary field alongside DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, conservative researcher Ted Dabrowski, and Lake Forest businessman Joe Severino.