SE Illinois News

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) said he’s running for governor of Illinois as a “true conservative.”

“I’m running for governor to bring hope to the state of Illinois to bring safety to our streets, restoring education and supporting families so they can thrive again,” Bailey said at the Peoria and Woodford County Republican Party’s Central Illinois GOP Governor Candidate Forum on April 25. “The good news for you is that I’ve been doing this for the last four years.”

The primary election is on June 28.

Bailey has been a state senator since 2021. He was previously a state representative from 2019 until 2021.

Pollsters Ogden & Fry reported Bailey garnered the most votes when randomly-selected research participants were asked who’d they’d vote for during a Republican primary for governor in 2021. 

“When COVID-19 hit, I’m the only person who stood up and did something,” Bailey said. “I sued Gov. Pritzker and we won. As Republicans, we have a lot in common.”

In his campaign for governor, Bailey has supported the Second Amendment and points out he has voted against many gun control bills as a state senator.

Bailey reminded the audience about his longtime opposition to mask mandates in schools.

“I’ve been standing up and educating parents since day one to stand up and take back your schools,” Bailey said. “When we allow the government to get out of control, we lose our freedoms. I look forward to serving you as governor.”

Bailey has routinely called himself the only true conservative currently running for the Republican nomination.

“We vote for and support President (Donald) Trump,” he said. “We don’t lie. I encourage you to get educated, do your homework and understand what’s going on because we have an amazing state here in Illinois.”