Republican Darren Bailey launches 2026 Illinois governor bid with suburban running mate

Darren Bailey, a former Illinois state senator and conservative Republican, has launched his second campaign for governor in the 2026 election, seeking to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker. This time, Bailey has chosen Aaron Del Mar, Cook County Republican Party Chairman from suburban Palatine, as his running mate to help bridge geographic and political divides in Illinois by appealing to voters in Chicago and its suburbs while Bailey focuses on other regions. Bailey criticizes Pritzker's policies on taxes, utilities, and pandemic management, positioning himself as a conservative fighter endorsed by President Donald Trump, though Democrats have labeled him as extreme and aligned with far-right policies. His previous 2022 gubernatorial bid ended in a significant loss to Pritzker, and he narrowly lost a 2024 GOP primary for Congress, but he remains determined to reclaim the governor's office, promising to restore common sense and fight for families' freedoms and economic well-being. The ticket emphasizes uniting different parts of the state and addressing diverse issues, with Del Mar acknowledging their differences but focusing on shared priorities like economic burdens and crime. Bailey's campaign launch included stops across Illinois, highlighting a strategic approach to winning a broader electorate than in his previous attempt.