Today, Donald Trump wannabe Darren Bailey made it official: he’s in. In response, the Democratic Party of Illinois issued the following statement:
“After being rejected by Illinoisans across the state for his extreme views, this supposedly new and improved Darren Bailey is back for another run for Governor. He may have deleted his most extreme Facebook posts and videos, but Illinois voters haven’t forgotten: Darren Bailey is an extreme MAGA Republican, a Donald Trump loyalist, and has no business anywhere near the Governor’s Office.”
Bailey’s destructive record speaks for itself: cozying up to fringe extremists, supporting abortion bans, cheering on Trump’s Tariffs that raise prices for Illinois families, and voting against increased funding for public schools and law enforcement.
And he’s not alone. In this race to the bottom, Bailey joins Ted Dabrowski, who managed to accelerate the collapse of a failing nonprofit, a county sheriff whose fundraising numbers would be impressive only in a countywide race, and a little-known conspiracy theorist.
* So did the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association…
The state of Illinois got a jump scare this morning when perennial loser Darren Bailey announced he is once again running for Governor. Fresh off a failed Congressional run where his biggest “achievement” was securing the endorsement of former Congressman and accused sex offender Matt Gaetz – Bailey has decided it’s time to lose another race.
“If this three-time loser is Republicans’ best option to challenge a wildly popular incumbent Democrat…” says IDCCA President Mark Guethle, “Fine by us!”
Bailey’s campaign is shaping up to be a rerun of his greatest hits: attacking reproductive rights, parading weapons of war through otherwise peaceful towns, and groveling for approval from his authoritarian idol, Donald Trump. He celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade, voted against the Reproductive Health Act while in the General Assembly, and even claimed that abortion is “worse than the Holocaust.” He peddled Trump’s lies of election fraud, invited nepo-baby Donald Trump Jr. to headline a fundraiser, and called for Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson to be imprisoned for opposing Trump’s threats of militarization of Chicago.
Despite his claims of hyper-conservative and “pro-family” policies, Bailey seems eager to hitch his wagon to Trump once more, even amid the storm of Epstein drama surrounding the President. “For a guy who touts conservative values and family-focus, he sure does love to seek approval from accused sex criminals and flaunt the weapons that are killing our school children,” added IDCCA President Mark Guethle. “I’ve got a feeling this race will go the same as the last two.”
Darren Bailey is a MAGA extremist who wants to take away a woman’s right to choose & reverse our assault weapons ban. An Illinois led by him is not where I want my 3 kids growing up. I’ll always support Gov. Pritzker because he’s fighting for the best future our children deserve.
DGA spokesperson Izzi Levy released the following statement in response to Darren Bailey launching another run for governor in Illinois:
“Darren Bailey has returned for another attempt to drag Illinois backwards and bring Donald Trump’s chaotic, destructive, and deeply unpopular agenda to the state. Bailey’s toxic record includes opposing sensible measures to reduce gun violence, aligning himself with the far-right, and supporting extreme plans to ban abortion.
“On the other hand, Governor Pritzker has delivered for Illinois families. Under his bold leadership, Illinois has secured major economic development projects, created good-paying jobs, expanded access to affordable health care, made historic investments in education, and eliminated the state tax on groceries.
“Bailey’s nothing more than Donald Trump’s puppet and has already proven why he’s too extreme to be governor.”
“MAGA extremist” is the correct nomenclature. There’s nothing Big-R Republican about him. Dems should look to drive a wedge between the MAGA voters (power and grievance agenda) and traditional Republican voters (small government, low tax agenda) that still comprise the GOP primary voters. Stop using the word Republican in describing these candidates and use MAGA only. Get as many Republicans to stay home.
Why would the GOP in Illinois support a bumpkin as a candidate for governor? Bailey is 0-2 in his quest for office. His “Let’s Move On” after the Highland Park tragedy were insensitive and inappropriate then and now.
Bailey hasn’t changed in the ensuing years. Bailey’s hobby of running for office has run its course.
Neither Bailey nor Dabrowski have a chance and they must know it. Illinois is a very Blue State, and even if it were not, the abortion issue kills both of them.
Obviously he’s not the nominee yet, but still, it’s really funny to me how much Democratic primary voters obsess over “electability” in their candidates versus how little their Republican counterparts do. If Bailey gets the nom, I’m betting on a sub-40% performance.
Now if you’re going to attack the former Senator have your facts, correct. He’s lost twice, however if you can show me this third loss I’ll stand correctly. Or wait maybe, never mind let’s say four-time loser. Sarcasm heavily implied here.
If Chairman Guethle adds the qualifier three-time losing duo of D-Ran & A-Aron then he’s correct.
The DPI response would be much strong if it said, “cheering on Trump’s Tariffs that raise prices for Illinois families and crippling soybean markets for farmers.”
Don’t ignore Del Mar.
He won’t swing this election, but he’s a different sort of Republican, willing to make a fair deal..
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:57 pm:
“The DPI response would be much strong if it said”
Thankfully they have their voters and extremist opponents. This party is poor at messaging, for years getting creamed on woke (progress and enlightenment) and socialism (their residents pay more than they get back). That is a major systemic failure.
==This party is poor at messaging, for years getting creamed on woke (progress and enlightenment) and socialism (their residents pay more than they get back). ==
Exactly. This would not happen were Madigan’s people still in charge at DPI. Whatever their faults, they stayed in message and didnt take any crp from anyone.
Did any news organization ever do a serious deep-dive profile on Bailey? I still have so many questions over him bragging about kicking out two of his kids and everyone acting like that was normal.
“Extreme maga,” “attacking reproductive rights, parading weapons of war through otherwise peaceful towns, and groveling for approval from his authoritarian idol, Donald Trump.”
Bailey is not remotely extremist after the last five years pushed the limit on that.
Ask the dad’s about reproductive rights.
“Weapons of war” has been debunked in federal court and will likely prevail at scotus.
Authoritarianism is actually on the left side of the political continuum, so at minimum a poor analysis of what’s happening.
All humorous to me. I’ll be listening to all the candidates.
It’s obvious that both parties need to move to the center a bit.
- here we go again - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 1:44 pm:
Instead of launching another vanity tour that’s doomed for failure, Darren Bailey should be staying home and helping with the corn and soybean harvest. Something productive and something he’s actually good at.
===This would not happen were Madigan’s people still in charge at DPI===
Well, Madigan the party chair is very likely going to prison, his party executive director is still in prison as far as I know, so I’m not sure what you mean.
===Illinois comptroller candidate Rep. Margaret Croke===
She’s not wrong.
===Madigan’s DPI cared almost totally about House races===
Democrats in Illinois have been so abused that they think that whatever Madigan was doing with the State Party was a good use of the state party.
The DPI is never directly on the ballot. They can issue press releases and drive messaging without that being tied back to an individual candidate.
===and crippling soybean markets for farmers.===
I’m not sure folks really appreciate how few people are directly involved in farming soy beans, but the folks that directly and indirectly depend on that industry haven’t been voting with any concern for their economic survival in the last three elections and decided to go ahead and plant soybeans after the writing was already on the wall with the looming trade war — probably because they expect federal aid. There are may millions of Illinois voters who couldn’t care less about soybean farmers as an issue.
=== Dems should look to drive a wedge between the MAGA voters (power and grievance agenda) and traditional Republican voters (small government, low tax agenda) that still comprise the GOP primary voters. ===
The person you describe doesn’t exist in any meaningful numbers. Most traditional GOP voters were long since driven from the party by the MAGA cancer over a decade ago.
Bailey is so linked to MAGA extremism and with his primary opponents lacking the gravitas to compete, JB will lay the full force of his war chest on him.
Rich yes I understand that but to Grandson of Man’s comment that DPI is “for years getting creamed on woke (progress and enlightenment) and socialism”, this would not happen w MJM’s people running the show. They were anything but woke. They hit back - hard. And this was not just MJM or Mapes but all of the very talented staff below them.
- Save Ferris - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:36 am:
“MAGA extremist” is the correct nomenclature. There’s nothing Big-R Republican about him. Dems should look to drive a wedge between the MAGA voters (power and grievance agenda) and traditional Republican voters (small government, low tax agenda) that still comprise the GOP primary voters. Stop using the word Republican in describing these candidates and use MAGA only. Get as many Republicans to stay home.
- Roadrager - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:46 am:
==Darren Bailey is a MAGA extremist who wants to take away a woman’s right to choose & reverse our assault weapons ban.==
And that is how you set the table for Pritzker-Bailey II in 2026. A ringing endorsement to a certain audience that just can’t help themselves.
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:52 am:
Why would the GOP in Illinois support a bumpkin as a candidate for governor? Bailey is 0-2 in his quest for office. His “Let’s Move On” after the Highland Park tragedy were insensitive and inappropriate then and now.
Bailey hasn’t changed in the ensuing years. Bailey’s hobby of running for office has run its course.
- Irreverent - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:55 am:
@Ferris
Who/Where are these “Big-R Republicans?” To all appearances, the GOP and MAGA are just one and the same now.
- Squat Diddley Mr. - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:02 pm:
We all know Croke is JB’s hand-picked candidate, but she sure is laying it on thick.
- Steve Rogers - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:03 pm:
Let’s bring the whole team back together. I think Tom DeVore should run for AG again. He should have his law license back before the election.
/s
- Mason County - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:08 pm:
Neither Bailey nor Dabrowski have a chance and they must know it. Illinois is a very Blue State, and even if it were not, the abortion issue kills both of them.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:13 pm:
At 57 I make it better that even money I never see a Republican hold statewide office again.
- I-55 Fanatic - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:15 pm:
Obviously he’s not the nominee yet, but still, it’s really funny to me how much Democratic primary voters obsess over “electability” in their candidates versus how little their Republican counterparts do. If Bailey gets the nom, I’m betting on a sub-40% performance.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:15 pm:
Trying to figure out why he would launch his campaign from the Drake Hotel in Oakbrook.
Like is he making “Started from the Bottom” his theme song?
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:16 pm:
I need my governor to:
1) Be able to properly pronounce the name of our state.
2) Be a law abiding citizen that does not take pictures threatening the State Police.
3) Not continuously accept millions in government welfare.
4) Be a capitalist not a secret socialist.
5) Not hate farmers so much that he supports a bailout of Argentina by trump, a country that hurts American farmers by giving china deals on soybeans.
- D-RanA-AronBailDe-Lymar - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:27 pm:
Now if you’re going to attack the former Senator have your facts, correct. He’s lost twice, however if you can show me this third loss I’ll stand correctly. Or wait maybe, never mind let’s say four-time loser. Sarcasm heavily implied here.
If Chairman Guethle adds the qualifier three-time losing duo of D-Ran & A-Aron then he’s correct.
- D-RanA-AronBailDe-Lymar - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:28 pm:
Excuse the autocorrect, thank you
- just - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:34 pm:
Bailey will win 95 counties and still lose by double digits.
Land does not vote.
- just here for the fun - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:36 pm:
Bailey will win 96 counties and lose by double digits. Land does not vote and JB will be crowned again.
- H-W - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:48 pm:
The DPI response would be much strong if it said, “cheering on Trump’s Tariffs that raise prices for Illinois families and crippling soybean markets for farmers.”
- walker - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:53 pm:
Don’t ignore Del Mar.
He won’t swing this election, but he’s a different sort of Republican, willing to make a fair deal..
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:57 pm:
“The DPI response would be much strong if it said”
Thankfully they have their voters and extremist opponents. This party is poor at messaging, for years getting creamed on woke (progress and enlightenment) and socialism (their residents pay more than they get back). That is a major systemic failure.
- Jack - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:59 pm:
Sad to see what Blueroom Stream has become. Their X account is beyond disturbing for an organization that’s supposed to be non partisan.
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 1:10 pm:
Whenever I hear anyone open with “Friends”?…I feel for my wallet…to make sure it’s still there.
- low level - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 1:25 pm:
==This party is poor at messaging, for years getting creamed on woke (progress and enlightenment) and socialism (their residents pay more than they get back). ==
Exactly. This would not happen were Madigan’s people still in charge at DPI. Whatever their faults, they stayed in message and didnt take any crp from anyone.
- Suburban Mom - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 1:30 pm:
Did any news organization ever do a serious deep-dive profile on Bailey? I still have so many questions over him bragging about kicking out two of his kids and everyone acting like that was normal.
- 40,000 ft - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 1:34 pm:
“Extreme maga,” “attacking reproductive rights, parading weapons of war through otherwise peaceful towns, and groveling for approval from his authoritarian idol, Donald Trump.”
Bailey is not remotely extremist after the last five years pushed the limit on that.
Ask the dad’s about reproductive rights.
“Weapons of war” has been debunked in federal court and will likely prevail at scotus.
Authoritarianism is actually on the left side of the political continuum, so at minimum a poor analysis of what’s happening.
All humorous to me. I’ll be listening to all the candidates.
It’s obvious that both parties need to move to the center a bit.
- here we go again - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 1:44 pm:
Instead of launching another vanity tour that’s doomed for failure, Darren Bailey should be staying home and helping with the corn and soybean harvest. Something productive and something he’s actually good at.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 1:57 pm:
===This would not happen were Madigan’s people still in charge at DPI===
Well, Madigan the party chair is very likely going to prison, his party executive director is still in prison as far as I know, so I’m not sure what you mean.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 1:58 pm:
Also, Madigan’s DPI cared almost totally about House races.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 2:25 pm:
===Illinois comptroller candidate Rep. Margaret Croke===
She’s not wrong.
===Madigan’s DPI cared almost totally about House races===
Democrats in Illinois have been so abused that they think that whatever Madigan was doing with the State Party was a good use of the state party.
The DPI is never directly on the ballot. They can issue press releases and drive messaging without that being tied back to an individual candidate.
===and crippling soybean markets for farmers.===
I’m not sure folks really appreciate how few people are directly involved in farming soy beans, but the folks that directly and indirectly depend on that industry haven’t been voting with any concern for their economic survival in the last three elections and decided to go ahead and plant soybeans after the writing was already on the wall with the looming trade war — probably because they expect federal aid. There are may millions of Illinois voters who couldn’t care less about soybean farmers as an issue.
===This party is poor at messaging===
Score. Board.
- Norseman - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 2:38 pm:
=== Dems should look to drive a wedge between the MAGA voters (power and grievance agenda) and traditional Republican voters (small government, low tax agenda) that still comprise the GOP primary voters. ===
The person you describe doesn’t exist in any meaningful numbers. Most traditional GOP voters were long since driven from the party by the MAGA cancer over a decade ago.
Bailey is so linked to MAGA extremism and with his primary opponents lacking the gravitas to compete, JB will lay the full force of his war chest on him.
- Save Ferris - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 2:53 pm:
Who/Where are these “Big-R Republicans?”
The last one in Illinois just died.
- low level - Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 3:04 pm:
Rich yes I understand that but to Grandson of Man’s comment that DPI is “for years getting creamed on woke (progress and enlightenment) and socialism”, this would not happen w MJM’s people running the show. They were anything but woke. They hit back - hard. And this was not just MJM or Mapes but all of the very talented staff below them.