[Yesterday], Governor JB Pritzker was endorsed by former Republican House Minority Leader Jim Durkin. Leader Durkin, who served alongside Darren Bailey, denounced his extreme agenda and failed record in a new video.
Durkin pointed to Gov. Pritzker’s record of delivering for Illinois families, including passing common sense firearm regulation, improving our infrastructure, and building a strong fiscal foundation, as the reason he will be supporting Gov. Pritzker.
“I worked with Jim Durkin when he led the House Republican Caucus, and while we did not always agree on everything, I never doubted his devotion to the people of our great state,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “He was a partner in rebuilding Illinois’ infrastructure and strengthening our fiscal foundation — and an opponent of MAGA extremists driven only by their infatuation with Donald Trump. Leader Durkin has the heart of a public servant, and I am honored to have his support in this campaign.”
“I served with Darren Bailey in Springfield, and I know what he is and isn’t capable of,” said Leader Jim Durkin. “Bailey stands for exclusion over inclusion, subtraction over addition. His politics don’t work for me or the Republican Party I know. He’s never accomplished anything for Illinois, and he’s not cut out for the job. Frankly, he cannot be trusted to lead our state. I’m a suburban Republican, and I’m not going to waste my vote for governor. In this election, JB Pritzker has my vote.”
Gov. Pritzker is committed to working with everyone, including those across the aisle, to deliver for working families. Bailey, however, has no record to run on, alienated his own party, and has an agenda that is too extreme for Illinois.
Bailey, who was at the Clay County courthouse to cast his early vote on Monday, accused Durkin of supporting Pritzker, a potential 2028 White House candidate, in exchange for a Cabinet position and called the former House GOP leaders’ decision “smoke and mirrors.”
Durkin was among the “failed leaders who led Republicans where we’re at, like the sheep to the slaughter,” said Bailey, who served two years in the House under Durkin’s leadership. “Jim Durkin never has been, never will be, a Republican. He showed his true colors today, and I think it’s going to be evident to everyone.”
Durkin brushed off the barbs [from Bailey] in an interview, rolling his eyes at “the Darren Bailey shtick.”
“He can bellyache as much as he wants about me, but I’ve done more for the party than he ever has or will,” said Durkin, who’s now an attorney advising local governments on economic issues.
“He needs to think about whether he’s value added to the GOP after November,” Durkin said. “He’s lost before. He needs to stick to what he’s best at. He’s a successful farmer.”
Neither publication mentions that Durkin is a registered statehouse lobbyist.
* Gov. Pritzker was asked about the endorsement yesterday at an unrelated press conference in the Metro East…
Reporter: For a police officer or a machine operator in Madison County who has never voted for a Democrat, why would suburban Republican Jim Durkin’s endorsement move that voter? What would you want that voter to take away from today’s endorsement?
Pritzker: Well, let me be clear, it was offered to us and I was so pleased to have the endorsement of the former leader of Republicans in the House of Representatives in Illinois. Look, we disagreed on a whole lot of things and I think you’ve seen that in public but very often in those conversations we were respectful with one another we made sure that even when we significantly disagreed we weren’t disagreeable and I think that relationship has carried on. We continue to disagree about a lot of things. But I think he respects the work that I did and I respect the kind of person he is.
* Bailey’s running mate Aaron Del Mar…
“Jim Durkin says he wants a stronger Republican Party, then endorses JB Pritzker. That’s surrender dressed up as leadership. He now works as a Springfield lobbyist, and this endorsement looks to me like an effort to strengthen his ties to the Democratic establishment and fatten his wallet. If Jim wants to campaign for Pritzker, he should own it. Darren and I will keep fighting for lower taxes, safer communities, and accountability for Illinois taxpayers.”
* Illinois Republican Party Chair Bob Grogan…
“JB Pritzker’s two-terms as Illinois governor have been a complete and total failure as he raised our taxes over and over, championed illegal immigrants and passed the most bloated state budget in history. This is who opportunists in search of relevance like Jim Durkin have aligned themselves with and is further proof that the only way to save Illinois is by electing new, strong leadership like Darren Bailey.”
* More…
* WGN | Former Illinois GOP leader Jim Durkin endorses Pritzker over Bailey: “It’s unfortunate but I cannot cast my vote for my party’s nominee. I served with Darren Bailey in Springfield, and I know what he is and isn’t capable of,” Durkin said. “Bailey stands for exclusion over inclusion and his politics are of subtraction over addition.” Durkin retired from the legislature in 2023. He served as the GOP leader for nearly a decade.
*Fox Chicago | Former Illinois GOP leader bucks party to endorse Pritzker: “I want a lot of people to know that I’m willing to speak up and do something about where the Republican party has gone in Illinois,” Durkin told Fox Chicago. “I speak for so many Republicans who are left in the middle who don’t know where to go because they don’t believe in some of the far left stuff that they see from the Democrats, but they’re also extremely dissatisfied with the way that the Republican party has moved to the extreme far-right. And speaking up, I think is something that is important to see where the party can actually analyze and say, you know what, this doesn’t work anymore.” The Bailey campaign responded to Durkin’s endorsement, saying he “and JB Pritzker, they don’t give a damn about you, and they don’t give a damn about anyone in the state of Illinois.”
* Politico | Durkin’s defection draws GOP fire: Durkin left the House after a bitter 2022 election cycle that exposed deep divisions within the Illinois Republican Party. Back then, Durkin refused to endorse Bailey for governor after Bailey defeated then-Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin — Durkin’s preferred candidate — in the Republican primary.
Jim Durkin would probably be well served by taking a moment to ask why Darren Bailey is the twice nominee of the Illinois Republican Party and why Donald Trump is the thrice nominee for the office of President for the Republican Party.
It’s not as if these things that keep happening are flukes.
I have not heard an actionable plan on anything out of the Bailey campaign. They throw mud and have no platform other than to magically lower all of our taxes. Durkin is right to point out that Bailey just isn’t capable of being governor.
===Durkin is right to point out that Bailey just isn’t capable of being governor.===
Look around — lack of capability has never caused the Republican Party to take pause. Jim was just so committed to the bit that he can’t step far enough back to recognize that the package of goods that the GOP has been selling for the last 5 decades is fraudulent.
Jim Durkin, while occasionally obstreperous, always listened carefully and with an open mind to opposing viewpoints. He is a serious and honest public servant.
There are many like him in Illinois.
I, with him, believe that spirit has not been permanently erased from the Illinois Republican Party by the current president’s leadership..
Thinking back on Darren Bailey’s first campaign for governor, I remember these highlights…shooting a rifle at the budget, labeling Chicago a Hellhole, insensitivity towards a major trauma in Highland Park.
In round two we have his alternate belief in science and dinosaurs…I wasn’t there ranks up with calling Chicago a Hellhole.
Jim Durkin articulates that Darren Bailey is simply not up to the job of running the state of Illinois. The voters rejected Darren Bailey during his first campaign for governor and his run for Congress against Mike Bost.
Bailey’s message resonates with some voters yet the majority of voters respond to JB Pritzker’s leadership for the state of Illinois.
=== an opponent of MAGA extremists driven only by their infatuation with Donald Trump. [He] stands for exclusion over inclusion, subtraction over addition. He’s never accomplished anything for Illinois, and he’s not cut out for the job. ===
This is just the language Republicans need to be using broadly if they intend to regain their party.
The Bailey-DeVore crowd has endorsed primary challengers to GOP incumbents and made clear their animus towards moderate Republicans. Their version of party loyalty is a one-way street … and now they’re surprised when those they deride as RINOs don’t embrace them?
- Proud Papa Bear - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 11:14 am:
Durkin joins the handful of Republicans I still have respect for.
= Look, we disagreed on a whole lot of things and I think you’ve seen that in public but very often in those conversations we were respectful with one another we made sure that even when we significantly disagreed we weren’t disagreeable=
Durkin is reflective of many IL GOP supporters, not MAGA and tethered to conservative constitutional principles. With the current presidential administration facing a midterm defeat, it makes sense to move away from Bailey and MAGA.
When will this “we need fiscal health oh and also cutting taxes for everyone while somehow fixing our fiscal health at the same time oxymoron” stop working among some voters?
JB is fixing the fiscal mess, and has done so extremely successfully. You cant pay debts by stop working and halting revenue aka income.
If Bailey toned down his rhetoric and used reason during his campaigns, he might have a chance at success.
But Bailey’s stunts both verbal and performative indicate that he is not a reasonable candidate.
- here we go again - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 12:40 pm:
Anyone who knows Jim Durkin knew he was never going to vote for Bailey. But can there also be any serious doubt that Durkin’s reason for going public with it is all about Durkin trying to help himself financially by currying favor and clients for his law/lobbying firm? I mean come on, it’s not like Bailey needs Durkin’s help to lose big again. Looks very shady, to be gracious.
To be clear, my criticism of Jim Durkin is not criticism of Governor Pritzker.
Jim bears his fair share of responsibility for what the party’s become. Do you not remember his support for Chris Miller after he declared war on Americans and participated in the events of January 6th?
He’s only endorsing Pritzker because suits Jim Durkin — if he magically found a sense of morality he’s got a lot of things he needs to address.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 3:44 pm:
Jim Durkin is, and has always been, a Republican.
But like his former colleague Tom Cross, Jim Durkin has never been afraid to criticize members of his own party for things like child sex abuse. See Dennis Hastert.
Or sexual harassment. See Jerry Lee Long.
Durkin is a “Country before Party” Republican.
And while principled Democrats can disagree with principled Republicans on about 25% of issues, there will always be common ground to be found on the other 75%.
As Bailey and his camp attack Durkin for his lack of party loyalty, let’s keep in mind that the Eastern Bloc had plenty of public criticism for their GOP nominee in 2018, governor Rauner.
The truth is that the Illinois GOP has been at war with itself since the collapse of the patronage machine in 2002. Conservatives saw an opening to take over the party. They undermined the candidacy of Topinka in 2006. Suffered an embarrassing defeat to Rod Blagojevich’s lieutenant governor in 2010 with pro-life downstater Bill Brady. Got boxed out by Rauner’s wealth in 2014 and 2018.
And then when they finally got the candidate of their dreams in 2022, they got their hats handed to them.
Now they control a party nominating process that has become completely irrelevant, politically. Their “win” is preventing anyone with a chance of challenging Democrats from being nominated.
The fallout down ballot this fall is likely to be catastrophic for Senate Republicans. If suburban voters have no reason to turn out for the governor’s race, they are not gonna show up for Darby Hills. Ask Curran how Bailey is polling in the suburbs.
As a Democrat, the failed state of the Illinois Republican Party brings me no joy. A competitive GOP is necessary to ensure the Democrats put forth their best candidates and are held accountable. That’s how Democracy works.
I am proud that I voted against Rod Blagojevich in the 2006 general election, just as I did in the Primary.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 9:40 am:
Jim Durkin would probably be well served by taking a moment to ask why Darren Bailey is the twice nominee of the Illinois Republican Party and why Donald Trump is the thrice nominee for the office of President for the Republican Party.
It’s not as if these things that keep happening are flukes.
- Travel Guy - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 9:43 am:
I have not heard an actionable plan on anything out of the Bailey campaign. They throw mud and have no platform other than to magically lower all of our taxes. Durkin is right to point out that Bailey just isn’t capable of being governor.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 9:45 am:
= His politics don’t work for me or the Republican Party I know. =
Unfortunately, the current Illinois Republican Party is not the one you know. That one doesn’t exist any more.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 9:51 am:
===Durkin is right to point out that Bailey just isn’t capable of being governor.===
Look around — lack of capability has never caused the Republican Party to take pause. Jim was just so committed to the bit that he can’t step far enough back to recognize that the package of goods that the GOP has been selling for the last 5 decades is fraudulent.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 10:07 am:
I did not see this one coming. Trying to find Occum’s Razor and I don’t have a clue.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 10:08 am:
In all the years he’s gone around running his mouth, what exactly has Aaron Del Mar done that has helped to build a stronger Republican Party?
- Moon - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 10:27 am:
Durkin’s endorsement means as much Baileys campaign..NOTHING
- Walker - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 10:28 am:
Jim Durkin, while occasionally obstreperous, always listened carefully and with an open mind to opposing viewpoints. He is a serious and honest public servant.
There are many like him in Illinois.
I, with him, believe that spirit has not been permanently erased from the Illinois Republican Party by the current president’s leadership..
- Steve - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 10:43 am:
This is great stuff from Durkin. Follow the money.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 10:48 am:
Thinking back on Darren Bailey’s first campaign for governor, I remember these highlights…shooting a rifle at the budget, labeling Chicago a Hellhole, insensitivity towards a major trauma in Highland Park.
In round two we have his alternate belief in science and dinosaurs…I wasn’t there ranks up with calling Chicago a Hellhole.
Jim Durkin articulates that Darren Bailey is simply not up to the job of running the state of Illinois. The voters rejected Darren Bailey during his first campaign for governor and his run for Congress against Mike Bost.
Bailey’s message resonates with some voters yet the majority of voters respond to JB Pritzker’s leadership for the state of Illinois.
- Mypalatine - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 10:49 am:
Del Mar as LT Gov will expand the office to include oversight of the pawn industry . He has a plan .
- H-W - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 10:50 am:
=== an opponent of MAGA extremists driven only by their infatuation with Donald Trump. [He] stands for exclusion over inclusion, subtraction over addition. He’s never accomplished anything for Illinois, and he’s not cut out for the job. ===
This is just the language Republicans need to be using broadly if they intend to regain their party.
- OneOpinion - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 10:57 am:
The Bailey-DeVore crowd has endorsed primary challengers to GOP incumbents and made clear their animus towards moderate Republicans. Their version of party loyalty is a one-way street … and now they’re surprised when those they deride as RINOs don’t embrace them?
- Proud Papa Bear - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 11:14 am:
Durkin joins the handful of Republicans I still have respect for.
- Think Again - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 11:17 am:
= Look, we disagreed on a whole lot of things and I think you’ve seen that in public but very often in those conversations we were respectful with one another we made sure that even when we significantly disagreed we weren’t disagreeable=
Durkin is reflective of many IL GOP supporters, not MAGA and tethered to conservative constitutional principles. With the current presidential administration facing a midterm defeat, it makes sense to move away from Bailey and MAGA.
- Frida's Boss - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 11:21 am:
Durkin’s a lobbyist, he knows which team to go to.
- Save Ferris - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 11:25 am:
Bailey should thank Durkin. It’s the most Bailey’s been in the media, free or paid, in weeks.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 12:02 pm:
That’s the thing about Republicans.
They’ll usually do the right thing…after trying everything else.
- Brandon - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 12:02 pm:
@candy dogood
And how is that working out for everyone?
When will this “we need fiscal health oh and also cutting taxes for everyone while somehow fixing our fiscal health at the same time oxymoron” stop working among some voters?
JB is fixing the fiscal mess, and has done so extremely successfully. You cant pay debts by stop working and halting revenue aka income.
- Mason County - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 12:26 pm:
Durkin’s support is so,so unimportant. JB wins in a landslide and very few Republicans will even know of his endorsement or pay any attention to it.
And as - Frida’s Boss - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 11:21 am: says:
Durkin’s a lobbyist, he knows which team to go to.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 12:29 pm:
If Bailey toned down his rhetoric and used reason during his campaigns, he might have a chance at success.
But Bailey’s stunts both verbal and performative indicate that he is not a reasonable candidate.
- here we go again - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 12:40 pm:
Anyone who knows Jim Durkin knew he was never going to vote for Bailey. But can there also be any serious doubt that Durkin’s reason for going public with it is all about Durkin trying to help himself financially by currying favor and clients for his law/lobbying firm? I mean come on, it’s not like Bailey needs Durkin’s help to lose big again. Looks very shady, to be gracious.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 12:45 pm:
After what Durkin supported during the Rauner years, I just cannot give him a pass. Go away Jim.
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 1:34 pm:
Obstreperous?…My wife said, ” What does that mean?”…when I defined the word for her?…she said, “that’s you.”
- Pundent - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 1:34 pm:
When Illinois Republicans gave up on Durkin, and those like him, they gave up on winning.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 3:13 pm:
===And how is that working out for everyone?===
Not Great, Bob[Redacted]
To be clear, my criticism of Jim Durkin is not criticism of Governor Pritzker.
Jim bears his fair share of responsibility for what the party’s become. Do you not remember his support for Chris Miller after he declared war on Americans and participated in the events of January 6th?
He’s only endorsing Pritzker because suits Jim Durkin — if he magically found a sense of morality he’s got a lot of things he needs to address.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 3:44 pm:
Jim Durkin is, and has always been, a Republican.
But like his former colleague Tom Cross, Jim Durkin has never been afraid to criticize members of his own party for things like child sex abuse. See Dennis Hastert.
Or sexual harassment. See Jerry Lee Long.
Durkin is a “Country before Party” Republican.
And while principled Democrats can disagree with principled Republicans on about 25% of issues, there will always be common ground to be found on the other 75%.
As Bailey and his camp attack Durkin for his lack of party loyalty, let’s keep in mind that the Eastern Bloc had plenty of public criticism for their GOP nominee in 2018, governor Rauner.
The truth is that the Illinois GOP has been at war with itself since the collapse of the patronage machine in 2002. Conservatives saw an opening to take over the party. They undermined the candidacy of Topinka in 2006. Suffered an embarrassing defeat to Rod Blagojevich’s lieutenant governor in 2010 with pro-life downstater Bill Brady. Got boxed out by Rauner’s wealth in 2014 and 2018.
And then when they finally got the candidate of their dreams in 2022, they got their hats handed to them.
Now they control a party nominating process that has become completely irrelevant, politically. Their “win” is preventing anyone with a chance of challenging Democrats from being nominated.
The fallout down ballot this fall is likely to be catastrophic for Senate Republicans. If suburban voters have no reason to turn out for the governor’s race, they are not gonna show up for Darby Hills. Ask Curran how Bailey is polling in the suburbs.
As a Democrat, the failed state of the Illinois Republican Party brings me no joy. A competitive GOP is necessary to ensure the Democrats put forth their best candidates and are held accountable. That’s how Democracy works.
I am proud that I voted against Rod Blagojevich in the 2006 general election, just as I did in the Primary.
Durkin is taking the same principled stand.
- Contrarian - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 3:58 pm:
The same Jim Durkin supported John McCain for President.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 4:56 pm:
===Durkin is a “Country before Party” Republican===
LOL — No he’s not.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 5:33 pm:
Share a secret - hardly any voters know who Durkin is. They have no idea.
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 6:10 pm:
Let’s see how the western suburbs vote in November. Durkin’s endorsement likely reflects the sentiments of the people he used to serve.
- low level - Tuesday, Oct 6, 26 @ 7:40 pm:
JB Pritzker has become the embodiment of the sensible middle ground in Illinois politics. We can see a direct line from Thompson to Edgar to JB.
JB4L - JB for Life