Darren Bailey
Republican · IL
Darren Bailey is the 2026 Republican nominee for Governor of Illinois, in a rematch of the 2022 race against J.B. Pritzker. A farmer, he previously served in the Illinois House and Senate and was the 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee.
Campaign Finance Information — Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Campaign Finance Information · Governor and Lieutenant Governor · November 3, 2026
Data last updated July 27, 2026
- Raised
- $2,106,478
- Spent
- $1,981,292
- Cash on hand
- $127,990
- Debts
- $316,885
Top disclosed occupations of direct donors
- Retired$206,414
- Owner$101,945
- Farmer$83,400
- Nursing home owner$25,000
Show 1 more
- CEO$18,341
Direct contributions by size
- $5,000+$304,704
- $1,000-$4,999$260,781
- $500-$999$141,250
- $250-$499$144,192
- $100-$249$179,720
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections · 2026 cycle · elections.il.gov
Track record
Anti-Corruption
· 4 records
Bailey supports stronger financial-disclosure rules, conflict-of-interest enforcement, and consequences when lawmakers vote despite clear conflicts.
July 13, 2026For
Source: chicago.suntimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports giving the Illinois legislative inspector general independent authority to initiate and pursue investigations.
July 13, 2026For
Source: chicago.suntimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports a minimum two-year cooling-off period before former Illinois legislators may register as lobbyists.
July 13, 2026For
Source: chicago.suntimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey opposes one-off tax legislation benefiting a single business or project and supports broad, transparent incentives available to all qualifying businesses.
July 13, 2026For
Source: chicago.suntimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Government Efficiency
· 4 records
Bailey supports removing bureaucratic barriers so local educators and families can focus on students.
July 13, 2026For
Source: baileyforillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey proposed creating an Illinois Department of Government Efficiency.
February 10, 2026For
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports auditing all areas of Illinois state finances to identify waste and reduce state spending.
February 10, 2026For
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports reducing unfunded state mandates imposed on schools.
February 10, 2026For
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Government Spending Reduction
· 2 records
Bailey supports controlling spending and cutting wasteful state expenditures.
July 13, 2026For
Source: baileyforillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports auditing all areas of Illinois state finances to identify waste and reduce state spending.
February 10, 2026For
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Public Safety and Crime Control
· 2 records
Bailey supports holding violent criminals accountable and cracking down on repeat offenders.
July 13, 2026For
Source: baileyforillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports providing law-enforcement officers with tools, training, and institutional support.
July 13, 2026For
Source: baileyforillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Housing Affordability
· 2 records
Bailey supports property-tax relief for homeowners.
July 13, 2026For
Source: baileyforillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey called for capping annual property-tax rates so they do not exceed a homeowner's mortgage rate.
February 10, 2026For
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Public Education Quality
· 6 records
Bailey supports parental choice in education and providing teachers with resources they need.
July 13, 2026For
Source: baileyforillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports removing bureaucratic barriers so local educators and families can focus on students.
July 13, 2026For
Source: baileyforillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports fully funding Illinois schools so children have access to a high-quality education regardless of ZIP code.
July 13, 2026For
Source: baileyforillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey said Illinois should rethink its evidence-based K-12 funding model and empower local school boards and communities.
February 10, 2026For
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports reducing unfunded state mandates imposed on schools.
February 10, 2026For
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey said savings found through state audits should increase state funding for schools.
February 10, 2026For
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Gun Control
· 1 record
Bailey affirmed unwavering support for Second Amendment gun rights.
February 10, 2026Against
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Personal Income Tax Reduction
· 1 record
Bailey supports lowering taxes and rejects increases in Illinois income and sales taxes.
July 13, 2026For
Source: chicago.suntimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Corporate Accountability
· 1 record
Bailey opposes one-off tax legislation benefiting a single business or project and supports broad, transparent incentives available to all qualifying businesses.
July 13, 2026For
Source: chicago.suntimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
General
· 2 records
Bailey supports honoring Illinois pension obligations to current retirees and employees while negotiating reforms for the future.
July 13, 2026
Source: chicago.suntimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Bailey supports policies intended to aid small businesses and attract jobs to Illinois.
July 13, 2026
Source: baileyforillinois.com · researched July 13, 2026
Integrity and Ethics
· 1 record
Bailey supports a statewide system allowing voters to track when mail ballots are issued, received, and counted.
July 13, 2026
Source: chicago.suntimes.com · researched July 13, 2026
Elections
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor · November 3, 2026 · Illinois
Profile last researched July 13, 2026.