Politics & Government
Bailey Seeks To Distance Himself From Trump, Shore Up Chicago Area Support In Pritzker Rematch
The Republican primary winners joined forces on Wednesday at a breakfast in Naperville, calling it a sign of party unity.
March 19, 2026
Fresh off his win in Tuesday's primary election, Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey visited the Chicago suburbs on Wednesday and said he'll be focusing on building support in the Chicago area during his rematch with Gov. JB Pritzker.
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The Republican primary winners joined forces on Wednesday at a breakfast in Naperville, calling it a sign of party unity as they start to prepare for the general election to battle not just for victory in a deep blue state, but also to compete with billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker's coffers of cash.
Bailey, a farmer and staunch conservative from downstate Xenia, who lost to Pritzker in the 2022 election and is now in a rematch after winning the GOP nomination in the governor's race on Tuesday, sought to distance himself from President Trump, who endorsed him in his last campaign, but has not backed him this time around.
