From his unshakable loyalty to President Trump – to his ultra-MAGA policies – GOP gubernatorial candidate Bailey is not fit to serve the people of Illinois
CHICAGO — GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is the president’s puppet, and his ultra-MAGA values threaten to move Illinois back to the stone age. An Illinois under Darren Bailey would be nothing more than an Illinois under the bruised thumb of President Trump.
Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” has been a violent attack on every Illinoisan, on our values, and on our livelihood. Bailey has supported it every step of the way. That’s not surprising though – given he was endorsed by President Trump in 2022.
“Darren is a fearless supporter of the Second Amendment and a tireless champion of religious liberty.” Trump said at an Illinois rally on June 25, 2022. “Darren has my complete and total endorsement.”
And Darren recently said he “would be honored” if the president gave it again.
Bailey has proven time and time again that he doesn’t care about Illinoisans. He only cares about winning Trump’s approval. It’s clear as day: Darren Bailey is way too conservative for Illinois.
As a reminder, here are just a few things Darren Bailey has said that prove how out of step he is with the great state of Illinois:
Since Trump’s Second Term
- “[President Trump]’s a very genuine person. He is a man of integrity.” – Darren Bailey on NBC 5 Chicago (Dec. 1, 2025)
- “I support President Trump bringing in the National Guard.” – Darren Bailey wrote on Facebook (August 29, 2025)
Neither Donald Trump nor Darren Bailey has an ounce of integrity, especially when they encourage ICE agents to unlawfully arrest and harm the people of Illinois.
During Trump’s Prosecutions
- Bailey called Trump’s May 2024 felony conviction “chicken sh*t” in a Facebook post. (May 30, 2024)
- Shortly after Trump was indicted for 37 felony counts surrounding the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, Bailey posted a photo of them together at Trump’s New Jersey country club captioned, “It’s an honor to stand with this man.” (June 14, 2023)
It’s clear – Darren Bailey will stand with Trump, even when what he does is illegal and puts Americans at risk.
Before the 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial Election
- “Sometimes, people will refer to me as the ‘Trump of Illinois.’” – Darren Bailey on political radio program Beyond the Beltway with Bruce DuMont (May 22, 2022)
- “I’ve made a promise to President Trump that in 2024, Illinois will roll the red carpet out for him because Illinois will be ready for President Trump.” – Darren Bailey at an Illinois rally (June 25, 2022)
- After the 2020 election, Bailey supported election fraud claims saying, “All this fraudulent activity is absolutely disgusting.”
Even then, Bailey was ready to lie, bend the knee, and toss out the results of a free and fair election, all to appease Trump’s ego.
Bailey’s not running to be governor to help Illinoisans; he’s running to infect our state with Trump’s poisonous agenda and make your families’ lives worse.
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CONTACT: press@jbpritzkercampaign.com