Illinois primary election day 2026: Darren Bailey projected to win Republican primary for governor to challenge JB Pritzker

Darren Bailey is anticipated to secure the Republican nomination for Illinois Governor, positioning him for a November showdown with the incumbent, Governor JB Pritzker.

Stay tuned for the latest updates. Here is a summary of earlier developments.

Former State Senator Darren Bailey is making another run for the Republican nomination in the Illinois governor’s race. This comes four years after his previous defeat by Governor JB Pritzker.

Bailey is competing against several challengers, including Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner, and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

On Tuesday afternoon, Bailey gathered with his wife and campaign team for a moment of prayer at the Crowne Plaza Hotel ballroom in Springfield. This followed a review of his plans for election night.

“There just seems to be an upbeat mood that there’s a different day coming for Illinois,” Bailey remarked.

It is a day that Bailey hopes will see him as the Republican nominee to supplant Governor Pritzker as the Chief Executive of Illinois.

RELATED | 2026 primary elections: Voter information in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin

“Illinois cannot withstand another four years of JB Pritzker,” Bailey said. “This man is running for president on day one, if we allow him to be re-elected, and Illinois needs something different.”

One of Bailey’s competitors for the Republican nomination, Ted Dabrowski, was out casting his vote on election day, encouraging other Illinoisans to do the same. As Bailey did, he took direct aim at Governor Pritzker.

“Under Governor Pritzker, we’re a bottom five state in economic growth in job opportunity, job creation,” Ted Dabrowski “We should be a top five state, and that’s why we’re running.”

READ MORE | Our Chicago: Republican candidates for Illinois governor James Mendrick, Darren Bailey

Also on the ballot trying to earn the Republican nomination for governor is Rick Heidner, a real-estate developer from Barrington, and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick. Mendrick promises a closer look at the state’s finances, saying Illinois has a spending problem, while Heidner has bashed Illinois democratic policies, specifically how businesses are taxed.

After the results come in Tuesday night, we’ll see if it’s Bailey versus Governor Pritzker again in November, or if a new face will win the republican nomination for governor.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like

Towering Topgolf nets are killing birdies: animal activists

Animal Activists Say Towering Topgolf Nets Are Killing Birds

For birds trapped in Topgolf’s massive 120-foot nets, getting caught appears to…
Pope Leo draws staggering 800,000 faithful to heart of Paris for massive outdoor Mass

Pope Leo Draws 800,000 Faithful to Outdoor Mass in Central Paris

Pope Leo XIV drew an estimated 800,000 people to central Paris on…
O'Hare Plane Pull: More than 110 teams pull United Airlines 737 for Special Olympics Illinois at Chicago airport

O’Hare Plane Pull Teams Tow United 737 for Special Olympics Illinois

CHICAGO () — More than 110 teams descended on O’Hare International Airport…
13-year-old boy charged with hate crime after sharing 'messages of racial, threatening nature' on Snapchat, Oswego police say

Oswego Police: 13-Year-Old Charged With Hate Crime Over Alleged Racist, Threatening Snapchat Messages

OSWEGO, Ill. () — The mothers of two 13-year-old boys who were…
Death row inmate Christa Pike petitions clemency ahead Sept. 30 execution date

Christa Pike Seeks Clemency Before Sept. 30 Execution Date

Christa Pike, the first woman sentenced to death in Tennessee in two…
Bodies of 6 people, including 4 Americans, recovered from collapsed building in Athens, Greece

6 Dead, Including 4 Americans, After Building Collapse in Athens, Greece

ATHENS, Greece — Emergency crews recovered six bodies Saturday from the wreckage…
‘SNL’ roasts Mayor Zohran Mamdani with ‘urgent message’ for New Yorkers during nor’easter

SNL Roasts NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani With ‘Urgent Message’ During Nor’easter

Mayor Zohran Mamdani became the target of “Saturday Night Live” comedy during…
The frat omertà: Whistleblower warns of ‘code of silence’ after Ole Miss deaths, alleged Penn State coke ring

Whistleblower Warns of Frat Silence in Ole Miss, Penn State Cases

“You need a code of omertà to build an organization that functions…
Nithya Raman agrees with Donald Trump's Hollywood tax incentive

Nithya Raman Backs Donald Trump’s Hollywood Tax Incentive Proposal

Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a left-wing candidate for mayor, says…
Israeli UN envoy's Starlink video reaches millions, with nearly 40% of Instagram viewers in Iran

Israeli UN Envoy’s Starlink Video Reaches Millions, With Nearly 40% of Instagram Views From Iran

A video showing Israel’s U.N. ambassador offering a Starlink device to an…
NYC student sues college after swallowing metal in dining hall sandwich

NYC Student Sues College Over Metal Found in Dining Hall Sandwich

A Staten Island woman is suing her former state college after allegedly…
Mistress may have handed prosecutors missing ‘why’ in ‘American Idol’ alum’s wife murder case: expert

Expert: American Idol Alum’s Mistress May Have Revealed Murder Motive

Testimony from Caleb Flynn’s former mistress may have given Ohio prosecutors a…