By: Mark Glennon*
It worked splendidly for JB Pritzker four years ago, so he’s at it again.
Darren Bailey was Pritzker’s pick as the Republican who would be easiest to beat in the 2022 general election. So, Pritzker pushed about $26 to $36 million into the Republican primary to help Bailey. Bailey won the Republican nomination and Pritzker went on to beat him handily in the general election, winning by 12.5 percent.
Pritzker’s method to lift Bailey in the primary was diabolically clever. His ads pounded Bailey as “too conservative for Illinois.” But that’s music to the ears of Illinois Republican primary voters, who are deeply conservative, a near majority of whom are down-staters. And any enemy of Pritzker is a friend of theirs. The “too conservative for Illinois” message was, as the press often described it, a crafty strategy aimed at actually fortifying Bailey’s standing among conservative Republicans.
With the holidays over, the primary campaigns got fully underway this week, and you needn’t guess what Pritzker’s first message was: “Darren Bailey Is Way Too Conservative for Illinois” – that’s the first line in his recent press release. “From his unshakable loyalty to President Trump – to his ultra-MAGA policies – GOP gubernatorial candidate Bailey is not fit to serve the people of Illinois,” the press release says, and goes on with more of the same.
Bailey didn’t object to Pritzker’s help in 2024. His only comment was that Pritzker should be careful what he is wishing for.
So far this week, Bailey again has said nothing about the matter. However, his running mate, Aaron Del Mar, was gleeful over Pritzker’s press release, posting it on social media while claiming it shows that how afraid Pritzker is of Bailey. “THIS campaign is the real threat,” Del Mar wrote. “When the attacks start early, it’s because they see what’s coming.”
No. Del Mar knows what everybody following politics knows – that this is a repeat of Pritzker’s strategy to boost the guy he can beat most easily – Del Mar’s running mate, Bailey.
Bailey himself didn’t disagree with the take that Pritzker viewed him as a weak candidate four years ago. And the sleaze of Pritzker’s election meddling to get the opponent he wanted in 2022 was called out by many, even on the left.
For example, a Washington Post editorial called Pritzker’s tactic “shameless and dangerous.” The Post went on: “Everyone who recognizes that U.S. democracy is in grave danger should do all they can to encourage results such as these — not the opposite. Tuesday night brought the latest example. State Sen. Darren Bailey (R) won the Illinois GOP gubernatorial nomination …”
Illinoisan David Axelrod, a leading Democratic strategist, was similarly critical. “At a time when faith in our system and elections is so strained,” Axelrod wrote, “I can’t help thinking that this only adds to growing cynicism about their legitimacy. And at a time when we need both parties to produce responsible choices, this cross-party manipulation works against it.”
This time around, even columnist Rich Miller, who is usually exceptionally friendly toward Pritzker and Democrats, immediately flagged what is going on. “The last time we saw this sort of language,” Miller wrote Tuesday, “the governor was preparing to spend a fortune to help nominate Bailey in the 2022 Republican.”
Props to Miller for his headline on that post, which was ”Here we go again.” Yes, indeed.
*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
How many times did Pritzker vote for Bailey? It was republicans who voted for this loser and will again. Stupider than usual article from Glenon.
Where I come from, Bailey is what we call PWT. (The p is for pure.) (The WT is for……something else.)
LOL Trailer park is as trailer park does!
The only ones who don’t see it are those in Bailey’s campaign. THEY blame his last loss on low voter turnout.
No. What’s your solution?
Thanks for this Mark. The more people are aware of how this billionaire uses his money to coat himself in slime the better.
Bailey lost last time. IL doesn’t want him. That’s why Pritzker’s promoting him. The Republicans need to convince Bailey. The RNC needs to fund Dombroski. But at the very least, IL needs to vote Pritzker, Raoul, and far left Democrats out. Why is the RNC not helping the citizens of IL? At the very least, the Republicans need to get the Republicans and Independents out to get rid of these socialist Democrats.
This merely shows the intellegence of many of Illinois voters.
100% RB. It’s all up to the voters.
Pritzker’s money is NOT going directly to Bailey! Please read again the second full paragraph; Pritzker is buying ad time with a “too conservative” narrative to influence Republican primary voters, not donating to Bailey’s campaign.
Thank you! It’s amazing how many people don’t understand this.
Sorry, but by doing so, JB is “donating” to Bailey by Proxy.
The Donations may not show up on the Bailey Campaign’s Quarterly reports, but JB is hoping that they will show up at the Ballot Box this is all that cynically matters..
It won’t make a significant difference in our lives who the governor is as long as the Democrats have super majorities in Springfield and Chicago. Any Republican that is elected governor will be bounced around like a pinata, and be forced to compromise their campaign promises and values to get anything done. Then their term will be deemed a failure by the media and disillusioned conservatives, and a Democrat will easily win back the office. Until this state goes belly up nothing will change much, so cherish your family and friends, and have an escape plan if and when it… Read more »
Damn, dude, I know Prissy just pushed for an assisted suicide law like Canada’s, but JEEZ! Negativity only serves the Democrats who really have little to offer and HOPE Republicans will stay home on election day.
It doesn’t do anyone any good to pretend.
Even in a state filled with despicable politicians, Pritzker is an all star. Bailey needs to withdraw, and he and the Republicans need to be far less stupid this time around. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I don’t despise rich people, but Gov. Jelly Belly could change my mind.
Newsflash: You mopes are going to re-elect fat-boy. End of story.
Bailey can turn down the money. The voters can see Pritzker for whom he is, what he represents and how he operates. It is up to the voters to get off their collective dead asses and vote Pritzker out no matter who runs for the Republicans. Period.
Was he offered money? That’s not what I took from the story. How do you “turn down” the opposition running an advertisement against you saying you are too conservative? The ILGOP voters need to be smarter. “The bad guy democrat said Bailey is too conservative but I’ll show him.”
“The voters can see Pritzker for whom he is”
They can??? Then why do they fall for it?
“ Pritzker pushed about .. million into Bailey’s re-election campaign “. Bailey couldn’t say “ Um.. no. “?
No, he couldn’t just say “Um..no”. Pritzker placed ads that stated “Bailey is way too conservative for Illinois”.
Do you honestly believe Bailey was or is able to tell Pritzker he can’t run those ads? JB didn’t provide Bailey any money. How does he “turn down” money that was NEVER given to him?
You clearly don’t understand what JB is doing based on your statement.
Is it possible that Baily is a Pritzker supporter? He certainly can not be dumb enugh to think he even has a chance to win…or is he?
The one in GA, Stacey whatever has made a career off of running a doomed campaign over and over and getting a huge war chest from gullible followers and if memory serves me correctly, can also get matching Federal funds, to an extent, to launch a campaign. To accept money to campaign from the opposition knowing full well they intend to split your party’s vote is inexplicable to me.
let me know if you need a ride to the aiport
Bailey needs to withdraw
Why should he withdraw if the majority of the ILGOP want him to run?
This Republican voter says no, he shouldn’t. LGDB!
That makes two of us, among many others. I respect Ted, but I’ll be voting for Bailey.
Curious as to why you and Rich are voting for DB. I obviously don’t think he should drop out as that’s for the voters to decide but not sure why someone believes he would be the better candidate.
Could you make your pitch and possibly convince others?
Former Illinoisian here (retired!) but keeping a close eye on state politics on account of the family I still have there. Saw the polling with Bailey so far in the lead ahead of the rest of the GOP pack and I don’t get it…..is it just name recognition?
I’m pretty sure at least 3/4 of voters never heard of the other candidates. Nobody has been paying attention to this through the holidays, but the press, etc. will pick up now.
I am an example of the ‘typical Bailey voter’- from Southern Illinois and traditionally conservative. I will not be voting for him in the Primary because there is no way he can beat Pritzker. Bailey just doesn’t have IT and he will lose. The main issues that plague Illinois are economic, but also DEI nonsense. A normal republican who will focus on the economy and merit will be just fine with me.
Speak for yourself Dr. G. I want a candidate who will ban abortion. I want a candidate who will stop the trans agenda. I want a candidate who will make gay marriage illegal if the Supreme Court allows it. So far, I only see Bailey speaking to these issues, and that’s why he’s got my vote.
AMEN. And I’ll add: Which candidate is brave and pro-America enough to cooperate with ICE and ridding our state of immigrant scum? Who is going to stand up to foreign investors? Who supports Israel? It feels like no one’s really saying much yet but maybe Mark is right and positions will be better publicized down the home stretch.
Yes – Pritzker wants to turn Illinois into Minnesota. The ILGOP needs to get behind a candidate who will work with Trump, and with ICE, and take the “cuffs” off so those brave men can do their job and keep this country safe. Merely deporting illegals is no longer enough.
Illinois is the original Minnesota.
Illinois’s next governor needs to:
BAN trans.
BAN immigrants.
BAN foreign investment
BAN pornography.
BAN disrespect of police.
BAN gay marriage.
BAN abortion.
BAN unions.
BAN woke.
BAN pensions.
The well-being and future of the state depend on it.
I agree with all of this wish list. But, it is simply not possible for this to become a reality in Illinois as long as we have everything north of I-80 attached to us. Since we do have the cancer of Chicagoland tied like a millstone around our neck, we have to be smart. Yes, that means compromise. I’d rather have half a loaf than nothing. Remember this saying of Montesquieue: “Le mieux est le mortel ennemi du bien.” [The better (the perfect) is the mortal enemy of the good.]
That’s fine that you want that Chris. Just understand that around 70% of the Illinois population doesn’t want a candidate that wants to ban abortion without any exceptions. So you go ahead and vote for Bailey but understand that makes it extremely difficult for the Republicans to win. It just increases the likelihood of another 4 years for JB. So much so, that JB is willing to highlight Bailey’s conservative credentials. His strategic move works because of people like you. Should we fault JB for being strategic or the base of the Republican Party that doesn’t see through it?
LOL. Who are you, a political consultant? I’ve seen your comments here, they’re so far to the left, you’re probably a Democrat operative. Republicans don’t need your advice. What “makes it extremely difficult for the Republicans to win” is that JB Pritzker is a self-funded billionaire in a Democrat majority. Your advice is so laughable. Let’s flip this tune a bit…”Just understand that around 70% of the Illinois population doesn’t want a candidate that wants to ban abortion without any exceptions [including and up to the point of birth].” Yet, here we are, with a government from the top to… Read more »
Please provide some of examples of my “far left” comments. Just because I don’t believe in stealing from retirees doesn’t make me far left. Just keep labeling anyone that doesn’t agree with you on 100 percent of the issues as the enemy. That’s surely a great way to build a political coalition. What “makes it extremely difficult for the Republicans to win” is that JB Pritzker is a self-funded billionaire” And all he needs to do with that money is spend it on adds during the Republican primary pointing out that Bailey is “too conservative” for Illinois. Then those “smart”… Read more »
If we could be sure that nobody would be allowed to vote twice, I’d suggest a poll of Wirepoints readers to decide on the left vs right issue. We’d give you a week to round up support from your “acquaintances” on the left as well as your friends on the right. We’d even let you identify and veto votes from a limited number of actual commenters during the past twelve months. Mark could police those who have multiple pseudonyms. You’d say (and I’d probably agree) that most readers are right-leaning and some of them are emotional rather than rational. How… Read more »
Speak for yourself PFF. My conscience and my faith will not allow me to vite for any candidate who supports the murder of babies. Ever. And I am far from the only voter who lives this way. Maybe check your ego before you go telling the rest of us how brilliant you think JB is.
Just as a question and not trying to start negative discourse but what are your thoughts on someone’s daughter or wife being raped by one of Pritzkers sanctuary status illegals and becoming pregnant? Would you still be against abortion under those circumstances? Just asking…
River –
This is why we need a governor who will also work with President Trump to rid IL of its immigrant problem. No immigrants = no immigrant rapists = no abortions due to the scenario you have proposed here.
Charles
Thank you for your reply 🙂 !
The abortion issue tail always seems to wag the dog in elections these days. Like it or not I don’t think a candidate with a 100% across the board anti abortion platform can win in Illinois so could you settle with someone with a more moderate position? Think of a glass half full situation because otherwise you will be stuck with a glass empty situation. Just a thought and just saying
Abortion is wagging the tail in elections ON THE DEMOCRAT side of the aisle. Those people will crawl over broken glass to make sure minorities and rich white women have an unfettered right to abort their unborn children. Abortion is a sacrament to them, a religious experience.
I guess because an old and out of touch with the youth, but does anyone really need an abortion? Between the pill and Plan B, just who needs an abortion?
If Leftism is your religion, then abortion is your sacrament, then yes, they need to have an abortion. The recent Supreme Court decision allowing states to ban abortion actually resulted in MORE abortions in the US than before the Supreme Court decision. It seems an awful lot like women were getting pregnant for the sole purpose of exercising their right to abort in blue states. This is what insanely evil people do.
Good lord does this website’s readership hate women. No wonder Ted’s getting hung out to dry.
Go take your LOW IQ and AD HOMINEM attacks elsewhere, your opinion has no value.