Darren
Bailey
Darren Bailey, Illinois farmer and former state legislator, is the 2026 Republican nominee for governor challenging incumbent J.B. Pritzker.
- sources
- 20
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 2
Background
Darren Bailey is a Republican farmer and politician from Louisville, Illinois, running for governor of Illinois in the November 3, 2026 general election. A third-generation farmer, he operates Bailey Family Farm with his sons and holds an associate of science degree in agricultural production from Lake Land College. 1114
Before entering statewide politics, Bailey served 17 years on the North Clay Board of Education, including 12 years as its president. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2018 and later served in the Illinois Senate from 2021 to 2023. He and his wife also founded a private Christian school. 1112
Bailey won the Republican primary for governor in March 2026, setting up a rematch against incumbent Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker. He is not currently an elected officeholder. 1518
His campaign platform emphasizes lower taxes, lower utility bills, and public safety. 139
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- Governor, Illinois
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Republican nominee for Governor of Illinois
- Website
- baileyforillinois.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownendorsementTrump endorses Darren Bailey for Illinois governor
President Donald Trump endorsed Bailey in September. Bailey said he 'didn't ask for' the endorsement and argued his campaign should focus on Pritzker and state issues.
President Trump Endorses Darren Bailey as Next Illinois Governor · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10endorsementTrump reaffirms endorsement of Bailey for Illinois governor
Ground News reported Trump reaffirming his endorsement of Bailey, saying 'I've already endorsed him, I'm all for Bailey.'
President Trump Endorses Darren Bailey as Next Illinois Governor · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9pollPoll: Pritzker leads Bailey by 15 points among likely voters in Emerson/Nexstar survey
An Emerson College/Nexstar poll showed Pritzker leading Bailey by 15 points among likely voters. A separate Public Policy Polling survey (Sept. 30–Oct. 1) showed Pritzker at 54%, Bailey at 34%, and independent Corbett at 6%.
Poll: Who won the Pritzker-Bailey debate? · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8debateBailey and Pritzker face off in first televised Nexstar debate
Bailey said Illinois' abortion laws would not change under his governorship and that abortion would not be a central focus; he identified taxes, crime, and education as priorities. He also pledged to serve a full four-year term if elected.
Top Pritzker-Bailey debate moments everyone will be talking about · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6controversyDemocrats file complaint accusing Bailey of failing to disclose rent-free Chicago apartment
The Democratic Party of Illinois accused Bailey of not disclosing who provided him a rent-free downtown Chicago apartment used during campaigning, alleging it should have been reported as an in-kind contribution. The State Board of Elections said a hearing would have to occur before Election Day.
Darren Bailey did not disclose rent-free apartment, Dems say · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsBailey casts early vote
On the same day Durkin announced his endorsement of Pritzker, Bailey was reported to have voted early.
Durkin endorses Pritzker, Bailey votes early · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5endorsementFormer Illinois House GOP leader Jim Durkin endorses Pritzker over Bailey
Durkin crossed party lines to back Pritzker, saying he had served with Bailey and that Bailey was 'not cut out for the job.' Bailey's campaign criticized the decision.
Former Illinois House GOP Leader Jim Durkin crosses ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsBailey continues calling for repeal of the SAFE-T Act
At an early-September event in Norridge and in subsequent campaign activity, Bailey renewed his pledge to repeal the law that abolished cash bail in Illinois.
Darren Bailey keeps up SAFE-T Act attacks - Chicago Tribune · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22newsBailey's 'Illinois DOGE' efficiency initiative highlighted in commentary
Illinois Review highlighted Bailey's proposed state-level efficiency initiative modeled on DOGE, alongside property-tax and utility-cost measures, noting he had not specified major cuts or funding sources.
Springfield Doesn't Need Ozempic – It Needs Darren Bailey and DOGE · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 17newsBailey calls for SAFE-T Act repeal and property-tax cap at CTA stop
At a CTA stop, Bailey pledged a 'day one' repeal of the SAFE-T Act and proposed a 1% cap on residential property-tax assessments, along with fuel, utility, and corporate tax reductions.
At CTA stop, Bailey pledges SAFE-T Act repeal and ... · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15newsBailey touts property tax and energy relief at Union County Fair
Bailey campaigned at the Union County Fair, promoting property-tax and energy-cost relief measures and saying affordability is central to his campaign.
Bailey touts property tax and energy relief at Union County Fair, says affordability is central to campaign - Southern Illinois News · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Illinois Family Action organizationIllinois Family Action's September 30 list named Bailey as an endorsed candidate for governor. A later list dated October 3 changed his status to "Recommended" rather than "Endorsed," so the formal endorsement was effectively walked back. illinoisfamilyaction.org · Sep 30, 2026
- Donald Trump officialU.S. President Trump endorsed Bailey, saying "I've already endorsed him. I'm all for Bailey." News reports published September 14, 2026. nbcchicago.com · Sep 13, 2026
Sources 20
- [1] President Trump Endorses Darren Bailey as Next Illinois Governor(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Poll: Who won the Pritzker-Bailey debate?(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Top Pritzker-Bailey debate moments everyone will be talking about(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Bailey trying to stay on message as attacks from Pritzker ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] Darren Bailey did not disclose rent-free apartment, Dems say(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [6] Durkin endorses Pritzker, Bailey votes early(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [7] Former Illinois House GOP Leader Jim Durkin crosses ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [8] IFA’s 2026 General Election Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [9] Darren Bailey keeps up SAFE-T Act attacks - Chicago Tribune(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [10] At CTA stop, Bailey pledges SAFE-T Act repeal and ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [11] Springfield Doesn't Need Ozempic – It Needs Darren Bailey and DOGE(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [12] Bailey touts property tax and energy relief at Union County Fair, says affordability is central to campaign - Southern Illinois News(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
- [13] President Trump endorses Darren Bailey for Illinois governor(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [14] With Trump barely mentioned, Illinois Republicans focus on ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026
- [15] Data centers emerging as key issue in Illinois governor’s race(opens in a new tab) Aug 17, 2026
- [16] Republican Darren Bailey on his second run for governor(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
- [17] ‘This race is winnable': Bailey calls on La Salle County Republicans for support in quest for governor's chair(opens in a new tab) Aug 10, 2026
- [18] Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey seeks distance from Trump, but MAGA shadow looms(opens in a new tab) Apr 19, 2026
- [19] Pritzker Quickly Signs Illinois Assault Weapons Ban Into Law(opens in a new tab) Jan 10, 2023
- [20] More than half of GOP governor nominees have ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 11, 2022