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.

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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.

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