Gubernatorial candidates file amid Bailey tragedy; Trump and Pritzker offer condolences
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and representatives for his rival in the 2022 gubernatorial race, Republican Darren Bailey, were among the first candidates to file Monday for the March 17 primary election.
But politics were absent in an encounter between Pritzker and Bailey’s running mate, Aaron Del Mar of Palatine, who were both outside the Illinois State Board of Elections office in Springfield early in the morning.
Bailey’s son, daughter-in-law and two young grandchildren were killed in a helicopter crash Wednesday in Montana.
Pritzker “gave me his sincere condolences and wanted me to pass those on to Darren and (wife) Cindy,” said Del Mar, Cook County’s GOP chair.
Bailey has temporarily suspended his campaign. On Saturday, President Donald Trump called Bailey and they “had a very long talk,” Del Mar said.
“He gave Darren, obviously, his condolences and support, but more surprisingly, he encouraged Darren to continue the race and to continue to fight,” he added.
Also filing as Republicans Monday were Ted Dabrowski of Wilmette, the former president of media/research company Wirepoints, and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick of Woodridge, who has served in that post since 2018.
Other GOP candidates expected to file before the Nov. 3 deadline are Lake Forest business owner Joe Severino and Barrington Hills’ Rick Heidner, owner of Gold Rush Gaming.
Democratic standard-bearer Pritzker, who is rumored to be considering a White House run in 2028, is seeking a third term, leaving the Republican matchup as the one to watch in the next few months.
Unlike the 2022 GOP primary with moderate Richard Irvin of Aurora favored by party establishment, the 2026 version offers a range of conservative voices.
Bailey, a former state senator and farmer from Xenia, came from behind to defeat Irvin in 2022. He was endorsed by Trump but lost to Pritzker with 42.4% of the vote in the general election.
When commenting on the tragedy at a Thursday briefing Pritzker became emotional.
“That was graceful,” Del Mar said. “It offers a little bit of comfort to a sharp pain.”
An official announcement about the future of Bailey’s campaign is expected next week.
A celebration of the lives of Zachary Bailey, his wife, Kelsey, and their children Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7, is planned for Monday, Del Mar said. The couple’s middle child, Finn, 10, was not aboard the helicopter.
Pritzker’s running mate is former deputy governor and state Rep. Christian Mitchell.
Republican lieutenant governor candidates who filed Monday: include Dr. Carrie Mendoza of Glencoe with Dabrowski; and author Robert Rentaria of North Aurora with Mendrick.