In the political landscape of Illinois, incumbent Democratic Governor JB Pritzker is once again gearing up to face Republican contender Darren Bailey in the 2026 gubernatorial race set for this November.
On Tuesday night, Bailey secured the Republican nomination for governor, marking his second consecutive bid for the office.
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The previous showdown between Pritzker and Bailey took place four years ago, with Pritzker emerging victorious by a significant margin. However, Bailey is optimistic about reversing his fortunes this time, asserting that both he and the political climate have evolved. Meanwhile, Pritzker is approaching the race with caution, leaving no room for complacency.
Governor Pritzker, alongside his running mate, Lt. Governor Christian Mitchell, is preparing for the upcoming election, ready to engage with Bailey and his new running mate, Aaron Del Mar.
Bailey has indicated a shift in his campaign strategy, choosing to steer clear of divisive issues.
“Our focus is on the common ground, the 80/20 issues,” Bailey stated. “We’re tackling affordability, addressing property taxes, managing utility bills, controlling the cost of living, ensuring safety, protecting our citizens, and overhauling education.”
Pritzker claims Bailey hasn’t changed,, and he’s already rolled out a new political ad labeling Bailey as too extreme for Illinois.
“So you can change your messaging all you like, but this is the guy who wants to invite Donald Trump into our state, roll out the red carpet,” Pritzker said. “That’s what he said. He’s still the guy that believes that Donald Trump’s tariffs are good for Illinois.”
Pritzker, meanwhile, is also enjoying a victory lap with Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton after her big senate campaign victory Tuesday night.
“You know, I was a little bit surprised,” Pritzker said. “I mean, I thought she would win, but I thought it would be closer than it was, and instead, what I think I saw, and if you look at the map of the state of Illinois, here’s what you see, she won everywhere.”
Pritzker endorsed Stratton shortly after she announced that she was running. He also contributed millions to her campaign, directly or through his super PAC. Pritzker was asked if she won on his coattails.
“Oh no… if you follow Juliana Stratton around the state, you would see that she has been everywhere, she’s talked to everybody,” Pritzker said. “She worked her tail off for this.”
As for the governor’s race Bailey and Pritzker ready for the showdown. Last time, Pritzker won by nearly 13 points.
Pritzker was asked if his goal this time around is to win by an even bigger margin, to send a message to voters and maybe Republicans in particular.
“Look, I’m always running a campaign as if we’re behind, and winning means getting at least one more vote than the other guy,” Pritzker said.
Darren Bailey’s primary victory celebration was short-lived. He says it’s time to get to work, and though he’s a down-state farmer, he says voters in the Chicago area can get used to seeing a lot of him for the next eight months.
“My goal is to earn the trust of the people of Cook County and the surrounding suburbs and let them know that everyone’s hurting financially,” Bailey said. “This isn’t rocket science, and we know that JB Pritzker has created this disaster.”
After a gathering of Republican candidates and leaders in Naperville on Wednesday, Bailey wasted no time taking aim at a familiar opponent, Governor JB Pritzker, who soundly beat Bailey four years ago.
The governor says Bailey is the same extremist, failed candidate, but Bailey maintains this is a new race.
“I’m different. Illinois is different. Chicago’s different,” Bailey said. “I believe that Chicago is ready. I know I’m ready.”
The campaign punches were flying outside the Republican breakfast as well, with Governor Pritzker sending a mobile billboard displaying an old quote from Bailey’s running mate and candidate for lieutenant governor, Aaron Del Mar. The billboard read, “‘I just don’t think Darren Bailey’s a viable candidate.’ – Aaron Del Marr.”
“If they have time to be doing silly antics like that, instead of worrying about how we can lower property taxes, lower energy prices, educate our kids and keep all people safe and they’re distracted, we’ll be happy to take that mantle and continue to move it forward,” Del Mar said.
And as Bailey and his running mate distance themselves from past remarks about each other, Bailey is taking the same approach when asked if he plans to hitch his wagon to President Donald Trump or pave a new path.
“I am my own person. There will be no outside influence dictating anything that we do here in Illinois,” Bailey said. “It will be myself, it will be the General Assembly, and it will be the voter of Illinois that we’ll be working with.”
Bailey says he learned his lesson from four years ago, now focusing on issues that most Americans agree on in an attempt to appeal to more voters in the Chicago area.
Both candidates are now shifting into general election campaign mode with less than eight months until voters once again head to the polls.
Pritzker will be a big favorite to win a third term. He dismissed talk that this campaign will serve as a launching pad for a presidential run in 2028.
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