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State Fair showdown avoided

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Illinois

* I initially skimmed this when I first read it and missed the last paragraph…

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is coming to Illinois in 10 days to headline a fundraiser for incumbent Congressman Mike Bost, who’s facing a competitive primary in the 12th District with former gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey. […]

McCarthy will be in O’Fallon on Aug. 17 for Bost’s luncheon fundraiser. That’s the same day as Republican Day at the State Fair when all the big GOP names show a united front to kick off the campaign season. It wasn’t ideal, but “with multiple schedules, we had to work with the day that aligned” with everyone, Bost’s spokesman Myles Nelson told Playbook.

Speaker McCarthy’s visit is not unexpected, of course. Bost is the incumbent.

* The timing is interesting, however. And it’s probably a relief for the ILGOP.

So far, the only really big race to watch in Illinois next year is Bost vs. Bailey. Therefore, Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair next Thursday looked to me like it was going to be dominated by that battle, which could’ve turned out to be uncomfortable for everyone involved (except people like me, of course). I joked to a friend last week that maybe the ILGOP should just cancel the whole thing to avoid a possible train wreck.

But Speaker McCarthy, inadvertently or not, has given the state party an out. Bailey will get access to the news media at the fairgrounds, but Bost will be home in his district, near to his local news media outlets, and that’s a decent contrast for him.

Anyway, not the biggest story in the world, nor the most important, but I thought I’d mention it since I forgot to include the piece in the afternoon roundup.

What are you looking forward to at this year’s State Fair?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 7, 23 @ 2:43 pm

Comments

The Southern Illinois rumor mill is that Bailey is also actively recruiting candidates to run against Severin, Bryant, Fowler and Jacobs. Anyone that doesn’t subscribe to the Freedom Caucus is to be purged in Bailey’s mind apparently. Also, why can’t Bailey’s wife make up her mind about going after Plummer? Time is a wasting…

Comment by James Monday, Aug 7, 23 @ 2:49 pm
I’m looking forward to GOP being bombarded with Trump questions and I’m hoping Mr Tracy says something laughably inane about it.

Comment by Lurker Monday, Aug 7, 23 @ 3:45 pm
It will be interesting to see who is funding Bailey. Federal campaigns are very different that State campaigns when it comes to funding. Let’s see if his pockets are deep enough to continue to self-fund or if he actually has donors. From his Facebook feeds, it appears that most of his followers don’t even know that he is running in a Primary against Bost.

Comment by District 12 Fan Monday, Aug 7, 23 @ 3:59 pm
Bailey is sure to address the fact that he’ll be the only candidate for the district at the GOP Day with humility and grace. /s

Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Aug 7, 23 @ 4:25 pm
How about a lot of Millers(no relation) in the winners circle?

Comment by ANNON'IN Monday, Aug 7, 23 @ 7:55 pm
It will be very interesting to see what kind of campaign Bailey runs. So far, he has been unable to raise money. Will most likely not run any sort of campaign besides him running around the district taking pictures. Not sure how he expects to compete if he can’t afford media buys. Bost will have the money needed and an actual organization. Bailey just seems to have his social media platforms. It is also fun to see people compare this to the Davis-Miller race last year. It is a completely different race.

Comment by Northener Monday, Aug 7, 23 @ 9:00 pm
==Time is a wasting…==

Filing isn’t until late November/early December.

==So far, he has been unable to raise money.==

Nobody knows this.

==Bailey just seems to have his social media platforms.==

And statewide name ID.

Comment by Mr. Jimmy Monday, Aug 7, 23 @ 10:59 pm
I’m looking forward to the Darren Bailey shaped butter cow

Comment by Trap Tuesday, Aug 8, 23 @ 6:52 am