Overview
- President Trump publicly endorsed Darren Bailey as he departed Ireland on Sunday, calling Gov. J.B. Pritzker “a disaster” and praising Bailey as a “very good candidate.”
- Bailey welcomed the endorsement but stressed the race should center on state issues like crime, education, and the economy and has sought to distance himself from some of Trump’s remarks.
- Pritzker’s campaign immediately seized the endorsement to link Bailey to Trump policies, citing Bailey’s past support for Trump positions and running new attacks on his record.
- Campaign operatives and reporters are scrutinizing Bailey’s recent appearance at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, including questions about who paid for his seat in the president’s box and required disclosures due in the next filing cycle.
- The endorsement raises a near-term strategic question about whether President Trump will campaign in Illinois during the Presidents Cup visit later this month and how national attention will affect suburban and moderate voters.