By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Former state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, is making a second run for Illinois governor.

Bailey launched his campaign for the 2026 Republican nomination Thursday morning in Carterville and then spoke in Bloomington. At an event Thursday evening in Oak Brook, Bailey said his campaign is about taxes, opportunity and affordability.

“Illinois should be a place where families thrive, businesses grow and young people stay to build their future, not run away to other states,” Bailey said.

Bailey mentioned Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent photo with a man charged days later in connection with a burglary and fatal crash in downtown Chicago.

“Instead of standing with victims and law enforcement, J.B. stands shoulder to shoulder with criminals,” Bailey said.

Bailey won the 2022 Republican primary but lost to Pritzker in the general election. He joins a 2026 field which includes former Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and Lake Forest businessman Joe Severino.

Bailey told a crowd of supporters in Oak Brook that Pritzker’s green-only agenda is driving up costs.

“We will cut property taxes. We will rein in reckless spending, and we will pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy: coal, oil, gas, nuclear and renewables,” Bailey said.

Bailey’s running mate for lieutenant governor is Cook County Republican Party Chairman Aaron Del Mar.

Del Mar said he has not always agreed with Bailey on issues.

“If we want to defeat J.B. Pritzker and take this state back for the people, we have to stand together,” Del Mar said.

Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Izzi Levy released a statement in response to Bailey’s campaign launch.

“Darren Bailey has returned for another attempt to drag Illinois backwards and bring Donald Trump’s chaotic, destructive, and deeply unpopular agenda to the state. Bailey’s toxic record includes opposing sensible measures to reduce gun violence, aligning himself with the far-right, and supporting extreme plans to ban abortion,” the DGA statement read.

Levy said Pritzker has delivered for Illinois families.

“Under his bold leadership, Illinois has secured major economic development projects, created good-paying jobs, expanded access to affordable health care, made historic investments in education, and eliminated the state tax on groceries,” the statement added.