Republicans pledge unity, take aim at Pritzker and boost Bailey 2.0

It’s the same name on the ballot as in 2022, but the outcome will be anything but, Republicans promised at a unity breakfast Wednesday in Naperville.

Former state Sen. Darren Bailey handily won his party’s nomination for governor in Tuesday’s primary — just as he did in four years ago, when he lost to Gov. JB Pritzker in the general election.

But “everything’s different,” Bailey said Wednesday. “I’m different. Illinois’ different. Chicago’s different.

“In the last four years, Illinois’ been devastated by higher property taxes, now higher energy costs, people can’t afford to live here, safety’s still a problem, education continues to fail,” he added.

The conservative farmer and business owner from downstate Xenia faces a formidable opponent in Democrat Pritzker, who closed out 2025 with about $23 million in his campaign fund.

But, “we understood where we failed the last time and we’re fixing those (things),” Bailey said.

Bailey, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump in 2022, was asked how he would distinguish himself from the Republican Party standard-bearer in order to succeed in a blue state like Illinois.

“I am my own person. There will be no outside influence dictating anything we do in Illinois,” Bailey said.

He also promised a focus on the Chicago region.

While Bailey performed well across the state, former WIrepoints chief Ted Dabrowski of Wilmette won Cook, DuPage and Lake counties on his way to a second-place finish, unofficial results show.

“We know what we missed four years ago,” Bailey said. “My goal is to earn the trust of the people of Cook County and the suburbs. The next eight months, get used to me, because you’re going to be seeing me up here almost every day.”

Bailey’s campaign fund had just $35,000 cash in hand at the end of the year, but he’s confident national and state GOP donors will step up.

They include primary opponent and video gambling magnate Rick Heidner of Barrington Hills, who was at the unity breakfast Wednesday. Dabrowski had another commitment and the fourth candidate, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, did not attend.

“Rick Heidner’s stepped up to the plate,” Bailey said. “I have no doubt that the resources we need will come. We don’t have to match JB Pritzker dollar for dollar. What we need is people to register to vote. To show up to vote.”

Other GOP candidates at the event included former state Republican Party Chair Don Tracy, who won the U.S. Senate primary for outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat.

Tracy, a Springfield attorney, took a dig at his Democratic Senate opponent Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for her ad featuring voters saying, “F*** Trump.”

“I hope this contest with Lt. Gov. Stratton is not just about F-bomb commercials,” Tracy told assembled media. “I hope it’s at a higher level than that because there’s some fundamental differences between Juliana Stratton and Don Tracy.

“I’m for a culture of economic freedom where we celebrate work and work ethic, while Juliana Stratton and other Democrats seem to be in favor of a culture of welfare dependency,” Tracy added.

College of DuPage political science Professor Melissa Mouritsen said Bailey’s repeat performance on the ballot wasn’t surprising.

“Bailey is a good campaigner, and despite his sometimes bombastic statements, people genuinely connect with him,” she said. “He has a distinct personal style. Every one of his supporters that I have spoken with have said in addition to supporting his platform, he felt like a friend.”