Former Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey has announced his intention to once again run for the state's highest office. Bailey, a Republican who previously served one term in both the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives, is confirmed to have set his sights on the 2026 gubernatorial election. He will make his bid official at an event at the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook at 4 p.m. Thursday, as reported by CBS News Chicago.
A notable figure in the state's political scene, Bailey is perhaps best known for his legal challenge to Gov. JB Pritzker’s authority to enforce "stay-at-home" orders during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, although he was eventually defeated in court. His previous gubernatorial race in 2022 saw him easily win the GOP primary but then markedly lose the general election to Pritzker by a margin of 13 percentage points, even as Bailey tried to closely align himself with former President Donald Trump. These details were obtained by NBC Chicago.
Bailey's running mate for the upcoming campaign is Cook County Republican Party Chairman Aaron Del Mar. Del Mar, who has experience as the youngest-ever councilman in the village of Palatine, brings a combined profile of leadership, entrepreneurship, and family values to the ticket, which Bailey's campaign hopes will resonate with voters.
In the 2022 election cycle, Bailey's performance showcased that, despite a strong showing in the Republican field, there was a noticeable gap to bridge to convincingly attract a broader electorate. Undeterred, he is looking to better appeal to voters across the state in his next run. Bailey's defeat in the general election and his later loss in a primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Mike Bost reveal a pattern of uphill battles, but they seem not to have dampened his political ambitions. These past results were highlighted by both NBC Chicago and CBS News Chicago.
If both Bailey and Pritzker secure their party's nominations, the 2026 general election could potentially be a rematch of 2022's race. Illinois, noted for its absence of gubernatorial term limits, may witness another fierce battle for leadership as Pritzker seeks a third term and Bailey vies to change the narrative of his political journey.
