Team Bailey wobbles on SAFE-T Act repeal
Thursday, Apr 23, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Politico profiled GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s running mate…
Aaron Del Mar is already a familiar figure in GOP circles, but he is now introducing himself to a broader audience of Illinois voters as Darren Bailey’s running mate for lieutenant governor. His selection comes as Republicans hope to unite the party’s suburban voters with its downstate coalition. […]
They’re focused on three things as they face Gov. JB Pritzker and his running mate, Christian Mitchell. “Our focus is simple: affordability, public safety and education,” Del Mar said, noting, “Affordability isn’t just a buzzword. It’s about fixing what’s driving costs for families.” They are not looking to reverse the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail, but they want it to do a better job of “holding criminals accountable.” And on education, Del Mar said funding should be more equally dispersed. “Every child in Illinois gets a real shot, no matter their zip code.”
Um, what? Darren Bailey has been one of the loudest voices calling to repeal the SAFE-T Act.
* Bailey in January.…
If he were to become the next governor, Bailey said he would repeal the SAFE-T Act.
* Bailey in February…
“The SAFE-T Act must be repealed, period,” Bailey said. “We got to restore safety to this state. That doesn’t mean we can’t turn around and listen to some of the concerns that originated this terrible bill, but in this form it is unacceptable.”
* Bailey in March…
Sure, Aaron.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Apr 23, 26 @ 11:36 am:
Someone should ask him about the Republican governors busing people to the City of Chicago.
- Alton Sinkhole - Thursday, Apr 23, 26 @ 11:53 am:
She will post verbatim what people say and folks like that.
- In the weeds - Thursday, Apr 23, 26 @ 11:53 am:
Setting aside Del Mar’s attempts to make Bailey seem more reasonable than he is, pretrial detention is not and cannot legally be about “accountability.”
Accountability is what happens after someone has been found guilty. These people are transparently upset we aren’t doing more punishment of people before the state has in any way proven its case beyond reading a police report out loud.
- Steve - Thursday, Apr 23, 26 @ 12:11 pm:
Darren Bailey really was JB’s favorite candidate in the GOP primary. Whatever JB’s spent so far on the campaign : it’s way too much money.
- Who's Who? - Thursday, Apr 23, 26 @ 12:44 pm:
There is a peculiar type of role reversal going on as Bailey defers to Del Mar constantly. It is as if Del Mar is the gubernatorial candidate and Bailey is the Lt. running mate.