In the most expensive race in Illinois history – and what is about to be the most expensive, non-presidential race ever – NBC News projects U.S. Sen. Darren Bailey secured the Republican nomination in the Illinois primary on Tuesday and will face off against Democrats incumbent JB Pritzker in the run for governor in November.
With 98% of the sections reporting, Bailey received 57% of the vote. Far behind Bailey is Republican candidate Jesse Sullivan with just 16% of the vote.
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The governor is a Republican
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In her acceptance speech, Bailey targeted Pritzker on numerous fronts, saying she did not understand the plight of regular Illinois residents and that the Republican campaign would focus on making life easier for the state’s residents.
“Illinois is in trouble. “Decade after decade of mismanagement and back-to-back billionaire managers who don’t understand the struggles of working people,” he said. “And where has that taken us?” People and businesses are leaving Illinois en masse, looking for jobs, affordable housing, lower taxes and better opportunities. They are leaving because Springfield and the political elites have failed each of us.
Bailey, who was elected to the U.S. Senate by Xenia, received significant state support and welcome approval from former President Donald Trump in the late stages of the primary cycle.
Bailey turned down a crowded field of six Republican candidates, including Aurora Mayor Richard Irwin, who was a favorite in the campaign after using $ 50 million in donations from Illinois billionaire Ken Griffin to buy a number of television commercials.
In the general election, Bailey is now facing incumbent Democrat Pritzker, who won the primary election for governor of Illinois on Tuesday, winning 92% of the vote with 98% of the polls.
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The governor is a Democrat
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Winner
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With the Democrats’ nomination for a secure second term, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker targeted Bailey and the Republican Party on Tuesday night, blowing up what he called “radical right-wing extremism” when he launched his campaign.
“We Democrats are playing by the rules. We respect our democracy. We respect the results of our elections, “he said. “We want to believe that the Republican Party can certainly come together with us and agree on sound sensible things that will make life easier and better for most Americans. But it seems that lately, every time we reach out to the other side, it’s met with contempt, and we feel like Charlie Brown looking back at Lucy holding the soccer ball.
Pritzker also took the time to refute the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn a woman’s right to an abortion and highlighted his fight for abortion rights as part of his platform.
“In the face of what is happening in this country today, in the face of what the Supreme Court and the radical right wing are trying to do for the fundamental rights of every American, we owe something to our children and grandchildren. We owe it to them to win, “he said.
Who is Darren Bailey? Meet the alleged Republican candidate for governor of Illinois
Bailey, 56, served in the House of Illinois for one term before running for the U.S. Senate in the 55th district, defeating Democrat Cynthia Given in 2020.
It was during this election cycle that Bailey put herself on the state’s political radar, suing the Pritzker administration for ordering her to stay home during the COVID pandemic. He eventually won a temporary restraining order from a Clay County judge, but the TRO was later overturned on appeal.
Bailey also found himself in hot water after refusing to wear a mask on the floor of the Illinois House, with lawmakers voting to remove him from the hall.
Runner-up Beverly Miles received only 8% of the vote.
The cost of Bailey and Pritzker’s campaign
According to the Illinois Electoral Council, a total of more than $ 216 million has been spent among eight candidates – two Democrats, including incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker and six Republicans.
The largest contribution to Bailey’s campaign was $ 9 million. That’s compared to at least $ 129 million that Pritzker spent.
What next?
Bailey, one of Pritzker’s fiercest critics, will face the incumbent Democratic Party governor in the November 8th general election. If Bailey wins, Illinois will have the third Republican governor in 24 years.
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