Bailey clinches GOP nomination in Illinois rematch with Pritzker

Darren Bailey won the Illinois GOP gubernatorial primary with just under 54% of the vote, earning a rematch against incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker in November. Bailey, a downstate farmer who lost to Pritzker in 2022, ran a quieter campaign this time, while Pritzker portraying him as aligned with Trump and attacking his policies. The primary included rivals Ted Dabrowski, James Mendrick and Rick Heidner, and Bailey’s personal tragedy earlier this year helped shape his campaign narrative.