Darren Bailey

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Says he will work to make Illinois "affordable again" by lowering taxes, cutting government spending and attracting new jobs.[2],[4]
• Says he would create a commission modeled on the federal DOGE effort to cut state government waste.[5]
• Says he would "stand with law enforcement, not against them" and crack down on repeat offenders.[2]
• Says he is his own man and would pursue President Trump's policies in Illinois when he believes they are right.[5]

Background

• Republican nominee for governor, 2022 Illinois election · 2022[7]
• Candidate, Republican primary for U.S. House (12th District), 2024 Illinois election · 2024[7],[8]
• State Senator, 55th District, Illinois Senate · 2021–2023[7],[6]
• State Representative, 109th District, Illinois House of Representatives · 2019–2021[7],[6]
• Board member (12 years as president), North Clay Board of Education · 17 years[3]
• Co-founder, Full Armor Christian Academy (private Christian school)[3],[4]
• Farmer, Bailey Family Farm[3]

Education

• A.S., Agricultural Production, Lake Land College[7]

Where they stand

• Taxes
  Supports lowering taxes and cutting government spending.[2],[4]
• Housing
  Says he would rein in government waste to deliver property tax relief.[2]
• Public Safety
  Says he would hold violent criminals accountable and target repeat offenders. Has criticized the SAFE-T Act, which ended cash bail.[2],[4]
• Education
  Says schools should be fully funded and that parents should be empowered to make choices for their children's education.[2]
• Abortion
  Describes himself as pro-life. As a legislator, he backed a 2019 bill to ban abortion after 20 weeks except in medical emergencies and legislation to repeal the Reproductive Health Act.[6]
• Guns
  Supports Second Amendment rights. As a legislator, he backed a bill to eliminate the state's FOID (Firearm Owner's Identification) card requirement.[1],[6]

Voting record

A selection of notable recorded votes. Not a complete record.

In their words