Republican · Illinois governor · 2026
Darren Bailey
Bailey’s life has revolved around farming in southern Illinois.
Biography
Darren Bailey is a third generation farmer whose family operation near Louisville, Illinois, grows corn, soybeans and wheat.12 He and his wife, Cindy, lost their son Zachary, daughter in law Kelsey and two grandchildren in an October 2025 helicopter crash.3 He paused his campaign and later continued after discussions with his family.3
Bailey earned an associate degree in agricultural production at Lake Land College.1 He spent seventeen years on the North Clay school board, including twelve as president.42 He and Cindy also founded Full Armor Christian Academy in 2016, adding the operation of a private school to their farming and business work.5
He served in the Illinois House from 2019 to 2021 and the state Senate from 2021 to 2023.6 In the Senate, he was the lead Republican on the Agriculture Committee.2 He is again challenging Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who defeated him in 2022.7
Bailey proposes capping annual property tax increases at 1% and auditing state grants to outside organizations.8 He also supports more parental choice in education, lower state spending and additional support for law enforcement.9 He favors local control over data centers, including concessions on their water and electricity use.8 Pritzker is seeking a third term.7 Independent Collin Corbett is also on the ballot.8
Record and controversies
Apartment disclosure complaint
Illinois Democrats filed an October complaint alleging that Bailey failed to disclose donated use of a Chicago apartment for campaigning.10 Bailey had publicly described a doctor's provision of the apartment; his campaign called the complaint a political distraction but did not answer the newspaper's followup questions about payment or ownership.10 The report described an allegation awaiting election board review, rather than a finding that he violated disclosure law.10