Press Release:  GOP Frontrunner, MAGA Extremist Darren Bailey Continues to Show His True Colors

CHICAGO — Last week, Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates spewed countless lies and nonsense to the people of Illinois. From pushing baseless claims of “Illinois fraud” to supporting the President’s unlawful deportations, to defending the restriction of life-saving federal funds to Democratic-led cities – ILGOP candidates, like MAGA extremist Darren Bailey and Democratic Donor Rick Heidner, continue to embarrass themselves.

While Governor JB Pritzker makes people’s lives easier and more affordable across the state, Republican candidates run single-issue campaigns to make your life worse. Illinois needs leadership, experience, and results, not Trump-following zombies and phony hacks who constantly betray working-class families.

It’s glaringly obvious that the candidates and their running mates across the GOP field are fundamentally unfit to run Illinois. As a reminder of how out of touch they are, here are just some of the outrageous things they’ve said recently:

Darren Bailey/Aaron Del Mar

THE CLAIM: “I hear this question a lot: Why DOGE if we already have a state auditor? Because DOGE exposes waste in real time, catches bad contracts before checks go out, and helps make sure fraud gets prosecuted.” – Darren Bailey on X (January 19, 2026)

THE TRUTH: These baseless claims of fraud are nothing but a ploy to hide that GOP front runner and MAGA extremist Bailey has no platform except mimicking Trump’s disastrous DOGE initiative that stripped away vital, lifesaving programs for everyday Americans.

THE CLAIM: “I believe that, I have faith that it will.” – Darren Bailey responded to a question on WGN 9 asking if the federal immigration crackdown helps him in the general election (January 12, 2026)

THE TRUTH: You heard it here – MAGA extremist Bailey wants the Trump administration to tear parents and their children apart, ruin the lives of countless hardworking Illinoisans, and make communities suffer, all so he can selfishly be governor. It’s cruel and heartless.

THE CLAIM: “We will begin implementing ideas and holding back money from cities who continue to refuse to follow the law, much like JB Pritzker, President Trump’s doing with him right now.” – Darren Bailey said at a central Illinois forum (January 15, 2026)

THE TRUTH: Bailey’s willingness to cut funding to cities – potentially including a city that he wants to run – is pure hypocrisy. He’s so focused on importing Trump’s MAGA policies that he seems to forget that Chicago is part of Illinois. It’s clear his sole ambition is to run the Windy City to the ground.

THE CLAIM: “Chicago homeowners are getting HAMMERED with $700 higher property tax bills so the Hyatt Regency could pocket a $150 MILLION break. And guess who owns Hyatt? JB Pritzker’s family. You pay more. His empire pays less.” – Darren Bailey posted on Facebook (January 20, 2026)

THE TRUTH: Bailey doesn’t have what it takes to grow the economy. The city’s Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority is a critical economic development boosting local businesses – it’s not some Trump-esque scam for personal profit.

While Bailey remains silent as President Trump engages in actual grift and abuses taxpayer dollars, Governor Pritzker is investing in good-paying jobs that expand the state’s economy.

Rick Heidner/Christina Neitzke-Troike

THE CLAIM: At a central Illinois forum last week, Rick Heidner explained that he donated to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign as a favor to a friend and to gain access to the mayor. Heidner also called a past donation to Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx “a huge mistake.” (January 15, 2026)

REMINDER: Rick Heidner’s running mate and Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike also hired former Governor and convicted felon Rod Blagojevich’s lobbying firm at the tune of $10,000 per month.

THE TRUTH: Rick Heidner and Christina Neitzke-Troike are opportunists who believe in nothing. They’d rather throw their money away to get political access and pal around with convicts than create a real platform or stand for anything at all aside from their own personal gain.

With all these outrageous claims, the GOP candidates have proven that they will consistently deceive constituents and push damaging policies in the state – no matter the cost to Illinois families.

Governor Pritzker will continue to fight their lies by standing up for accountability, for the truth, and for the people of Illinois.

###