CHICAGO (WLS) – After Tuesday’s primary election, ABC News projected that Sen. Darren Bailey won the Republican nomination for governor of Illinois, pitting him against Gov. JB Pritzker in November.
PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS: Latest updates for Illinois races
Bailey is seen as more conservative than many other Republican contenders in the state, said ABC7 political analyst Laura Washington; he may in fact be Pritzker’s most conservative rival.
But Washington noted that Bailey built strong ordinary followers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was outspoken against blocking, mask mandates and distance learning. He is suing Pritzker over an order to stay home issued by the governor and was escorted off the floor by the legislature for refusing to wear a mask.
Going on stage for her victory party, Bailey criticized “elites” such as Pritzker, the Republican establishment and others who said she could not win in November. He promised to defeat his opponent and stand up for regular, working people in Illinois.
“Here’s a tip and some tips for JB Pritzker: Start packing, buddy. Because you were fired on November 8, “he said. “Illinois is much worse than four years ago, much worse than 40 years ago, and it’s time for something different.
Bailey spoke with ABC7 Chicago in the lower state of Efingham on Wednesday morning.
After a stunning primary victory, Bailey paused to catch her breath for just a moment before shifting back into gear now with a focus on Pritzker and the November election.
“I feel good when you look at the efforts of your hard work and make sure things pay off, the better at the end of the day. This is just another day we are moving forward. the mission is the same. The goals are the same and we are moving forward, “he said.
Work and crime will be his main problems.
But also the approval he received from former President Donald Trump, which Pritzker will use to attack Bailey in this state, where Democrats outnumber Republicans.
The race is a classic battle between David and Goliath, with Bailey saying he is not worried about skeptics in his own party.
I just say, “What should we lose?” We had skeptics; they said there was no way I could win the primary, and they stood behind someone and wasted millions of dollars even when we knew all along that the people of Illinois thought differently. So, I think it will be pretty amazing what will happen, “he said.
Bailey will enter the campaign the next day, with plans to take part in parades on July 4.
Irwin, the former favorite, whose campaign was torpedoed by $ 35 million in negative ads placed against him by Pritzker and his allies, struck a triumphant note among his supporters even after losing the nomination. He did not mention Bailey in his speech, but instead spoke about the future of Illinois and Pritzker.
“Listen, I hope this governor is wrong in his assessment that he can easily defeat the opponent against whom he has paid tens of millions of dollars. But if this governor is right and if he wins easily, we as citizens must rise, “Irwin said.
Irwin had the support of the richest man in the state, Ken Griffin, who helped elect Bruce Raunner as governor. Griffin poured $ 50 million into Irwin’s campaign, with $ 30 million spent on television and radio commercials, but that didn’t move the needle.
“Pritzker stopped us from winning tonight, but he couldn’t stop us from changing so many hearts and minds across the state,” Irwin said.
Sullivan also turned to supporters after losing his candidacy on Tuesday, thanking them and his family for their support.
The young father and venture capitalist founded his entire campaign around family values, his Christian faith and military service.
He relied heavily on moral issues, speaking out strongly against abortion and often talking about how politicians and the government have no place in classrooms or to control school programs.
Sullivan saw the last-minute leap with the Supreme Court ruling overturning Rowe v. Wade, and he leaned sharply toward that momentum, trying to garner Republican votes in the Chicago area.
The venture capitalist, who became a candidate for the first time, is popular in his hometown of farmers and government workers, just north of Springfield.
After losing his offer, he threw his full support behind Bailey and encouraged all his constituents to do the same.
Bailey also rejected the idea that Pritzker’s campaign against Irwin was the reason he was on the verge of victory.
“Let them say what they want to say; there is no doubt about that. This is our stubborn work ethic. This is the work ethic of our campaign, the people who had, you know, came around the table to work with us,” he said.
Former Gov. Jim Edgar is worried about the influence of lower ballots since Bailey’s initial victory.
“We were going to have the far-right list we ever had for the Illinois general election, and I don’t think that’s good for the Illinois Republican Party,” Edgar said. “Not only do I think it’s hard for them to win, but I think they can get people in the way of voting.
During his victory speech, Pritzker blew up Bailey.
“Let me be clear, someone who seeks and accepts the approval of a former president who is racist, misogynistic, homophobic, xenophobic, does not deserve to come close to the highest post in this country,” he said.
The governor said voters would have an easy choice in November.
The Supreme Court ruling overturning Rowe v. Wade, abolishing the constitutional right to abortion, will be at the forefront and center of Pritzker’s campaign.
He said Bailey was too extreme for Illinois. He also confirmed on Wednesday that he was not considering running for president, saying he looked forward to another four years at the helm of Illinois.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot also responded to Bailey’s victory on Twitter, saying: “Illinois, under no circumstances can we allow Darren Bailey anywhere near the executive office. To protect women, our diverse communities and our minds, vote with @JBPritzker in November. ”
Illinois, under no circumstances can we allow Darren Bailey anywhere near the executive office. To protect women, our diverse communities and our minds, vote for @JBPritzker in November.
– Lori Lightfoot (@LoriLightfoot) June 29, 2022
Three other contenders vying for the Republican nomination were Gary Rabin, Paul Schimpf and Max Solomon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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