SE Illinois News

Gubernatorial candidate Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) views the guilty verdicts reached in the Ahmaud Arbery case as a win for righteousness.  

“Justice was served again today,” Bailey posted on Twitter. “The men responsible for chasing down and killing Arbery were convicted of felony murder charges. Law and order means every American should feel safe in their communities. As your next governor, I’ll work every day to ensure that.”

Bailey recently took his campaign to Bedford, where the West Cook New reported the discussion focused on restoring respect for law enforcement and keeping communities safe.

If he is elected governor, Bailey has vowed to accomplish more by doing less.

“It’s time Springfield stopped trying to control people’s lives and started working to make them better,” Bailey tweeted. “I’ve been in this fight – standing for you and our future in Illinois. And I can promise you that I’m not backing down. Our home is worth fighting to restore.”

Bailey stresses a big part of his revitalization plan includes providing greater educational and economic opportunities, according to the East Central Reporter.

Bailey's message seems to be resonating with voters, with a recent Ogden & Fry poll pegging his overall support among Republicans in the primary field at 33%, more than five times his nearest competitor and more support than challengers Jesse Sullivan (6%), Gary Rabine (5%) and former state Sen. Paul Schimpf (3%) combined, the Prairie State Wire reported.

In September, Bailey also responded to a Democratic Governors Association ad targeting him, saying they’re “terrified” of him.

“They know [J.B. Pritzker] is vulnerable, and they see our campaign as the top contender to defeat him next November,” his campaign posted on his Twitter. "Pritzker has failed working families across the state and has been unable to keep communities safe. He is nothing but a mandate candidate who wants to unilaterally control private businesses, shut down churches, and force children to wear masks.”