Press Release:  What You Won’t Hear Tonight with Darren Bailey Missing from the Debate Stage

Chicago, IL – As Republican candidates for governor take the debate stage tonight, the frontrunner in the race will be nowhere to be found.

Darren Bailey, the most conservative candidate in the field, isn’t bothering to show up to the first televised debate, confident that his commanding lead makes sharing a stage with his rivals unnecessary.

Ahead of the debate, Democratic Party of Illinois spokesperson Leah Hurwitz released the following statement:

“Bailey’s no-show means Illinois voters won’t hear him defend his record of embracing Donald Trump at every turn or explain how his extreme MAGA agenda would impact families across the state. 

“While second-tier candidates spend the night arguing over who’s the biggest RINO, voters tuning in tonight won’t hear from the candidate with the most conservative position on the issues shaping this upcoming election.”

Here’s more on what you won’t hear tonight:

• Darren Bailey is the most pro-Trump, extreme candidate in the race. Bailey has built his campaign on his loyalty to Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, even embracing bringing DOGE to Illinois, and tonight, the candidate most closely aligned with Trump’s agenda won’t be on stage.

• Darren Bailey is the most anti-abortion candidate on the ballot, taking some of the most hardline positions on abortion in the race, a cornerstone issue for the GOP base that will largely go unanswered tonight.

• Darren Bailey has repeatedly positioned himself as the most uncompromising Second Amendment candidate in the race, a defining issue for conservative voters that will not be represented on the debate stage.

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