The Darren Bailey campaign for governor is facing renewed scrutiny as the March 17 primary approaches, following an incident involving staffers and supporters in September 2025. The campaign has not yet provided a full explanation regarding the events that took place after Bailey announced his candidacy.
The issue has gained attention because of concerns that if Bailey does not address the matter, it could become a point of criticism from Governor JB Pritzker should Bailey win the Republican primary. The incident centers on allegations made by a young woman who was with Bailey’s staffers and supporters on the evening of September 25, 2025. According to details in a police report, the group traveled by bus from the Drake Oak Brook hotel to a nightclub in downtown Chicago and returned later that night.
While Darren Bailey was not present on the bus, his running mate Aaron Del Mar is alleged to have been among those traveling. A body-worn camera video from the Oak Brook Police Department documents the aftermath of the incident.
The press release states: “It is our position not to deliver any judgment over this incident. We will leave it to our audience to absorb what we have furnished and allow voters to rely on what we have provided to render their own verdict on what occurred.” It further urges Mr. Bailey to address the situation: “We do, however, suggest Mr. Bailey finally, and mercifully, address this matter and articulate what steps he took, if any, to get to the bottom of this incident immediately, and disclose whether he held any conversations with or took any necessary disciplinary action against staffers who were passengers on the bus.”
As voters prepare for next week’s primary election, calls for transparency continue around how Bailey’s campaign handled these allegations.
