Republican gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) noted in his concession speech that despite losing the bid for governor, he will continue to work on behalf of Illinoisans.
“I may not be going to Springfield as your next governor but I will never stop fighting for you,” Bailey said in his concession speech.
“I will never stop listening to your voices. I can’t. My family depends on it. I just spoke to Gov. Pritzker and congratulated on his win tonight.”
“The challenges are many but I'm going to do what I always have done – what Americans always have done – I'm going to roll up my sleeves and I’m going to go back to work.”
“My priorities will continue to be the things that unite us, protecting our freedoms, bringing jobs to our state, and safety to our streets. Republicans need to be the loyal opposition in Springfield. Loyal to our state. Loyal to our country. Loyal to our constitution. But in opposition to the radical policies of the Democrats. Friends, we must work together to find solutions so all the people of Illinois can be better.”
“Illinois must be better. Our leaders must be better and J.B. Pritzker – you need to be better. You need to be better for Illinois you need to be better for our children and you need to be better for our grandchildren.”
“Friends. Thank you so much for being here tonight. Continue to pray. God bless America. God bless this great state of Illinois and God bless you. Travel home safely. Thank you so much. Thank you.”
The Associated Press called the race a minute after polls closed.
The most up-to-date vote count shows Pritzker with 54.3% of the vote, or 2,070,981 votes to Bailey’s 42.9%, or 1,638,408 votes.
Bailey’s platform had a heavy emphasis on crime, specifically focusing on skyrocketing crime rates in Chicago and surrounding areas as well as the soon-to- be implemented SAFE-T Act.
He has accused Pritzker of enforcing “radical” policies.
“The only thing JB Pritzker is offering is a commitment to be the wokest state in the country,” Bailey said earlier in the campaign.
In the final weeks of the campaign Bailey was finishing a statewide bus tour and made stops throughout the state alongside Lt. Gov. candidate Stephanie Trussell.
Bailey was born and raised in Louisville, and is a third-generation farmer. Bailey grew up on the Bailey Family Farm, which he and his sons currently own and operate and where they cultivate maize, wheat and soybeans.
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