Chicago, IL — Yesterday, Donald Trump declared his love for Darren Bailey and endorsed him. Trump called him a “good candidate,” and said he’s “all for Bailey.” This comes a few days after Bailey joined Trump in his “President’s Box” during the RNC Convention in Dallas, Texas.
While Illinois’ working families struggle under Trump’s failed agenda, Darren Bailey is turning a blind eye. His ultimate loyalty has always lied with Donald Trump, and it always will.
See coverage below:
NBC 5 | President Trump endorses Darren Bailey, calls him ‘very good candidate’
Calling him a “very good candidate,” President Donald Trump has endorsed Darren Bailey in his bid to unseat Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
Speaking to reporters prior to boarding a flight back to the United States from Ireland over the weekend, the president called Pritzker “a disaster” as governor, and said he’s fully supportive of Bailey’s attempt to win control of the governor’s mansion.
“I’ve already endorsed him. I’m all for Bailey,” he said.
Chicago Tribune | Trump backs Darren Bailey for Illinois governor as GOP candidate has sought to distance himself from president
But as much as Bailey has sought to push Trump into the background of his campaign, the Republican also has made moves to keep the president an election issue, previously saying he wouldn’t turn down an endorsement.
Last week, Bailey attended the two-day midterm Republican National Convention, labeled by the president’s supporters as “Trumpapalooza,” and was seen among those seated in the “President’s Box” at American Airlines Center in Dallas in a photograph posted on the social media site X by veteran Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro. Bailey unsuccessfully sought to oust Bost from the congressional seat two years ago. Trump endorsed Bost in that race.
The State Journal-Register | Trump endorses Darren Bailey as next governor of Illinois
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker reacted to the president’s endorsement on X on Sept. 14 saying “Donald Trump just endorsed my opponent, again. Illinois does not want MAGA policies that raise prices, dismantle reproductive rights, and launch disastrous wars of choice. You deserve better than a Trump lapdog.”
Chicago Sun-Times | President Trump endorses Darren Bailey in Illinois governor race — ‘Pritzker’s a disaster’
Pritzker’s team raised the question of whether Trump will campaign with Bailey next week, when Trump is scheduled to return to the Chicago area for the first time in his second term to chair the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Medinah Country Club, running Sept. 22-27.
Capitol News Illinois | Trump: ‘I’m all for Bailey’
PRITZKER CAMP: “Just a few days after Darren Bailey returned home from Trumpapalooza, Donald Trump endorsed Bailey and sang his praises,” said campaign spokeswoman Leah Hurwitz. “This won’t come as a surprise to Illinoisans who know all about Bailey’s intense admiration for Trump. Despite the damage the president has done to our state, Bailey still supports Trump’s tariffs, cheered on his invasion of federal agents in our streets, and vowed to ‘roll the red carpet out’ for him.”
CONTEXT: Trump was prompted to comment on the Illinois governor’s race after a series of questions from Beni Harmony, a correspondent for the MAGA-aligned “Real America’s Voice.” Harmony, you’ll recall, is a Springfield native who until last September worked was a lifestyle anchor for WICS-TV. She resigned after being suspended for airing a tribute to the late Charlie Kirk after his assassination. She spoke at a Bailey rally last year and officially endorsed his campaign last month.
