Illinois Republicans are facing internal debate as the March 17 primary approaches, with Darren Bailey’s candidacy raising concerns among party members and donors. Bailey, who lost to Governor J.B. Pritzker in the 2022 gubernatorial election by a significant margin, is running again despite limited financial support and declining to participate in several recent GOP debates.
In 2022, Bailey lost by nearly 500,000 votes statewide and was particularly unsuccessful in Cook County and suburban areas. During that campaign, he had substantial fundraising advantages, with nearly $60 million spent on his behalf by his campaign or political action committees. However, much of this funding came as Pritzker himself spent about $26 million to support Bailey’s nomination bid, considering him an easier opponent for the general election.
This time around, major Republican donors have shifted their support to Ted Dabrowski. Notably, Dick Uihlein is backing Dabrowski for governor. Dabrowski has raised about six times more than Bailey so far and is reportedly attracting interest from national funding sources who may contribute if he secures the nomination.
Bailey’s current fundraising totals only $300,000. In contrast to previous years when donor enthusiasm was higher for his campaign, Republican backers are now seeking a candidate they believe can perform better statewide—especially in Democratic-leaning regions around Chicago where Bailey struggled before.
Bailey has also drawn criticism for refusing to attend debates hosted in Manteno and by FOX Chicago and AM-560; he will skip another scheduled debate in Wheeling Township. His campaign argues that these forums are unnecessary due to his perceived lead over opponents. However, observers note that Ted Dabrowski has performed strongly at public events compared to Bailey.
Governor Pritzker’s campaign has responded by criticizing Bailey for “skipping the debate” and “avoiding scrutiny.”
The reluctance of donors and party leaders to rally behind Bailey reflects concerns about repeating past mistakes after his decisive defeat four years ago. As the primary nears, Illinois Republicans face a decision on whether to select a new candidate or risk another loss against incumbent Governor Pritzker.
