From the Darin Bailey for Governor campaign:
Darren Bailey Announces Campaign for Governor of Illinois
Putting Families First, Ending Pritzker’s Failure
Louisville, IL – Darren Bailey, farmer, family man, and lifelong Illinoisan, today announced his candidacy for Governor of Illinois, joined by his running mate Aaron Del Mar, Cook County Republican Chairman and respected business leader.
“Families are being crushed in Illinois,” Bailey said. “Under JB Pritzker, life has become less affordable, less safe, and less hopeful. That ends now. With Aaron Del Mar by my side, we’ll fight for every family—north and south, rural and urban—and restore hope to our state.”
The Bailey/Del Mar team will:
- Put Families First: Lower property taxes and utility bills so families can stay and thrive in Illinois.
- Protect Communities: Fully support law enforcement, repeal failed policies like the SAFE-T Act, and make every neighborhood safe again.
- Build Real Opportunity: Grow an economy that creates good-paying jobs and keeps students in Illinois, close to the families who love them.
- Lead with Integrity: End corruption in Springfield and give Illinoisans a government that serves them, not the political elite.
“This campaign is about three things: Taxes. Opportunity. Affordability,” Bailey said. “Illinois should be a place where families thrive, where businesses grow, where young people graduate and stay to build their future. Instead, we are a state people are running away from. We lead the nation in property taxes. We are second in the nation in gas taxes. We have the 6th highest in-state tuition costs. We are driving our students out to other states—and too often, they never come back.When I’m Governor, Illinois will be a beacon of opportunity again—a place where families stay, businesses grow, and young people want to build their future.”
Del Mar has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition for his leadership and service. He said he’s ready to help lead Illinois forward.
“Darren brings the heart of a farmer and the courage of a fighter,” Del Mar said. “I bring the business and organizational experience to help get Illinois growing again. Together, we’re building a team that can win—and serve the people of Illinois with honesty and strength.”
Bailey added: “Illinois doesn’t need more of JB Pritzker’s failures. We need leadership that puts people first. Together, Aaron and I will give Illinois families a reason to believe again.”
Below is the full text of Darren’s speech given at this announcement event in Oak Brook. For more information, visit: Baileyforillinois.com.
Wow… look at this crowd. Thank you!
Friends, you are the heartbeat of Illinois — the working families who keep the lights on, the job creators who drive our economy, the moms and dads raising the next generation, the farmers who feed us, and the first responders who keep us safe. You are what makes Illinois great, and you are why I’m here tonight.
My name is Darren Bailey. I’m a husband to my wife Cindy, a father, a grandfather, a farmer, a businessman, and a conservative who will never back down. Cindy and I and many others have prayed long and hard about this decision, and we believe this: the time for action is now.
Illinois cannot survive another four years under this failed Governor. Our families cannot afford it. Our freedoms cannot endure it. That’s why tonight, right here, right now, I am announcing that I am running for Governor of Illinois — and together we will win.
For too long, Springfield politicians have put themselves first and forgotten about you. And what’s been the result? Higher taxes. Less safe communities. And JB Pritzker has made it worse by siding with criminals instead of victims.
Just recently, a man who stood next to him at a “Peacekeeper” event was arrested days later for a violent smash-and-grab at Louis Vuitton that ended in a deadly crash — killing a young father on his way to work.
Instead of standing with victims and law enforcement, JB stands shoulder-to-shoulder with criminals. That ends when I’m Governor. I’ll stand with law enforcement, protect victims, and fight every day to keep your family safe.
And when Charlie Kirk — a son of Illinois and a warrior for freedom — was killed for standing strong in his beliefs, JB didn’t condemn the violence and bring us together. When we needed leadership, he pointed fingers at President Trump. In that moment, he showed us exactly who he is: a weak politician more focused on auditioning for President and catering to the radical left than uniting our state and standing with Illinois families.
We need a Governor focused on solving problems for EVERY family here at home — not a politician flying around on a private jet chasing approval from the radical left across the country.
While he’s busy hobnobbing with elites and chasing White House dreams, working families across our state are being crushed by the highest taxes in the nation. No one should pay more in property taxes than they do on their mortgage — but countless families do.
Just recently, I talked with a small business owner in Marion. His electric bill was $4,500 for one month. Four thousand five hundred dollars! How is a family business supposed to survive that? If Springfield won’t act, I will — and families will see the results.
This Governor’s reckless “green-only” agenda is driving up costs, killing jobs, and shutting down opportunity. When I’m Governor, that changes. 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 — because Illinois families need affordable, reliable energy, not an extreme agenda that shuts us down.
This campaign is about three things: Taxes. Opportunity. 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.
Here’s my promise: On day one, we’ll draw a line in the sand and start delivering results.
I will bring immediate relief to families.
I will restore respect to law enforcement.
I will keep harmful content out of classrooms.
I will cut through the red tape strangling small businesses.
And I will create a task force of former ICE, DEA, and experienced prosecutors — to get the drugs, gangs, and violent criminals off our streets once and for all.
This fight isn’t one I take on alone. That’s why I chose Aaron Del Mar as my running mate. Aaron is a fighter and a leader. He became the youngest councilman ever elected in Palatine. He has served as Cook County Republican Chairman and Illinois GOP Co-Chair. And he’s built businesses from the ground up — he knows what it takes to create jobs, meet a payroll, and fight through tough times.
Aaron’s story is about grit and service. He’s the son of an immigrant who taught him sacrifice. He’s a family man who wants his kids to grow up in a safe and affordable Illinois. And yes — he’s literally a fighter, and someone who brings discipline and toughness into everything he does.
Together, Aaron and I are ready to take the fight to JB Pritzker — and win.
Let’s be honest: we will not outspend JB Pritzker. He’s a trust fund billionaire. But money can’t buy heart. Money can’t buy grit. Money can’t buy the determination of a people who love their state and refuse to lose it.
We will outwork him. We will outfight him. And we will outlast him.
Republicans, this is our moment. The stakes are too high to fight each other. We must put aside our differences, lock arms, and fight together. Because when we are united, we cannot be stopped.
And this isn’t just about Republicans. This is about every Illinoisan — no matter your party — who’s tired of being ignored, overtaxed, and disrespected by Springfield. This fight is the people of Illinois versus the political insiders who’ve failed us. And that’s how we save our state — together.
Four years ago, I entered this fight because Illinois families deserved a voice. Tonight, I enter it again because Illinois families deserve a future.
I will be your voice when politicians try to silence you. I will be your shield when failed policies try to crush you. And I will be your Governor who never forgets who I work for — the people of Illinois.
So join us. Go to BaileyforIllinois.com. Sign up. Spread the word. And yes, contribute what you can — whether it’s $50, $500, or $5,000 — because every dollar is an investment in the future of our state.
Together, we will restore common sense. Together, we will rebuild opportunity. And together — we will Save Illinois.
Thank you, may God bless you, and may God bless the great state of Illinois!
