Darren Bailey Apparent Frontrunner in Illinois GOP Primary for Governor

Former state senator challenges incumbent JB Pritzker in bid to become Republican nominee

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:38pm

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Former Illinois State Senator Darren Bailey is running again to win the Republican nomination for Illinois governor, four years after being soundly defeated by incumbent Governor JB Pritzker. Bailey is facing off against three other GOP candidates - Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner, and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick - in Tuesday's primary election.

Why it matters

The Illinois gubernatorial race is seen as a key battleground, with the winner of the Republican primary likely to face off against the well-funded incumbent Pritzker in the general election. Bailey's challenge represents an opportunity for the GOP to unseat Pritzker, who has been a prominent national figure in the Democratic Party.

The details

Bailey, a former state senator, is positioning himself as the candidate to defeat Pritzker, who he says is more focused on a potential presidential run than governing Illinois. Dabrowski, another GOP candidate, has criticized Pritzker's economic policies, saying the state should be a top-five state for job growth rather than "bottom five." The other Republican candidates, Heidner and Mendrick, have also attacked Democratic policies in the state.

  • The Illinois primary election is being held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Darren Bailey

A former Illinois state senator who is the apparent frontrunner in the Republican primary for governor, challenging incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker.

JB Pritzker

The incumbent Democratic governor of Illinois, who is seeking re-election and is seen as a potential future presidential candidate.

Ted Dabrowski

One of Darren Bailey's Republican opponents in the primary, who has criticized Pritzker's economic policies in Illinois.

Rick Heidner

A real estate developer from Barrington who is also running in the Republican primary for Illinois governor.

James Mendrick

The DuPage County Sheriff who is running in the Republican primary, promising to take a closer look at the state's finances.

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What they’re saying

“Illinois cannot withstand another four years of JB Pritzker. This man is running for president on day one, if we allow him to be re-elected, and Illinois needs something different.”

— Darren Bailey, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate

“Under Governor Pritzker, we're a bottom five state in economic growth in job opportunity, job creation. We should be a top five state, and that's why we're running.”

— Ted Dabrowski, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate

What’s next

The winner of the Republican primary will go on to face incumbent Democratic Governor JB Pritzker in the general election on November 4, 2026.

The takeaway

The Illinois gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a closely watched contest, with the Republican primary serving as an early test of the party's ability to unseat the well-funded and politically connected incumbent Pritzker. The outcome could have significant implications for the political landscape in the state and potentially beyond.