Darren Bailey
Republican · IL
Darren Bailey is a third-generation grain farmer from Xenia in southern Illinois who founded a private Christian school with his wife. He served in the Illinois House and then the Illinois Senate, and spent 17 years on the North Clay school board, 12 as its president.
Where Darren Bailey stands, based on their records
Supports
Anti-Corruption (3 records), Government Efficiency (2 records), Government Spending Reduction (1 record),
Track record
Track record — Anti-Corruption
Anti-Corruption · 3 support
Answering the Chicago Sun-Times candidate questionnaire for the 2026 Illinois governor primary, Bailey set out support for giving the Illinois legislative inspector general independent authority to open and pursue investigations.
July 13, 2026Supports Anti-Corruption
Source: chicago.suntimes.com
Answering the Chicago Sun-Times candidate questionnaire for the 2026 Illinois governor primary, Bailey set out support for a cooling-off period of at least two years before a former Illinois legislator may register as a lobbyist.
July 13, 2026Supports Anti-Corruption
Source: chicago.suntimes.com
Answering the Chicago Sun-Times candidate questionnaire for the 2026 Illinois governor primary, Bailey set out opposition to one-off tax legislation that benefits a single business or project, and support for broad, transparent incentives open to every qualifying business.
July 13, 2026Supports Anti-Corruption
Source: chicago.suntimes.com
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 2 support
Answering the Chicago Sun-Times candidate questionnaire for the 2026 Illinois governor primary, Bailey set out support for a statewide system letting voters track when postal ballots are issued, received and counted.
July 13, 2026Supports Government Efficiency
Source: chicago.suntimes.com
In an interview with Capitol News Illinois, Bailey set out support for reducing the unfunded mandates the state imposes on schools.
February 10, 2026Supports Government Efficiency
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 1 support
In an interview with Capitol News Illinois, Bailey set out support for reducing the unfunded mandates the state imposes on schools.
February 10, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support
Bailey called for capping annual property-tax rates so they do not exceed a homeowner's mortgage rate.
February 10, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com
Track record — Public Education Quality
Public Education Quality · 1 support
Bailey said Illinois should rethink its evidence-based K-12 funding model and empower local school boards and communities.
February 10, 2026Supports Public Education Quality
Source: capitolnewsillinois.com
Track record — Personal Income Tax Reduction
Personal Income Tax Reduction · 1 support
Answering the Chicago Sun-Times candidate questionnaire for the 2026 Illinois governor primary, Bailey set out support for lowering taxes and opposition to any increase in Illinois income or sales taxes.
July 13, 2026Supports Personal Income Tax Reduction
Source: chicago.suntimes.com
Track record — General
General · 1 record
Answering the Chicago Sun-Times candidate questionnaire for the 2026 Illinois governor primary, Bailey set out support for honoring Illinois pension obligations to current retirees and employees while negotiating reforms for the future.
July 13, 2026
Source: chicago.suntimes.com
Past race Darren Bailey ran in:
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor · November 3, 2026 · Illinois