Bailey Expected to Run Again for Illinois Governor in 2026 with Del Mar

Darren Bailey, a former Illinois state senator and 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee, plans to run again for governor in 2026, this time selecting Cook County Republican Party Chair Aaron Del Mar as his running mate. Bailey, known for opposing COVID-19 restrictions and receiving President Donald Trump's endorsement in the 2022 governor's race, lost to Gov. JB Pritzker by 13 points and narrowly lost a 2024 congressional primary to U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, who Trump endorsed over Bailey. The Bailey-Del Mar ticket seeks to unite downstate and suburban conservatives, focusing their campaign on public safety, education, and business issues while distancing from some of Bailey's previous hardline conservative stances. Gov. JB Pritzker, who won a second term in 2022 and is the first Illinois governor since Jim Thompson to seek a third consecutive term, has announced he will run for reelection with former state Rep. Christian Mitchell as his running mate. The 2026 race is shaping up as a high-profile contest between Pritzker and the Republican ticket, with both sides emphasizing contrasting visions for Illinois' future. Other Republican challengers, such as DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner, have also shown interest in the governor's race.