Darren Bailey
What this job does: The head of Illinois' state government. The governor proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes bills passed by the General Assembly, can pardon people and shorten sentences, and leads the state's National Guard. In Illinois, you vote for the governor and lieutenant governor together as one team. A term is four years, with no term limit.
- Occupation
- Farmer
- Lives in
- Xenia
Background
- Owns a family farm in southern Illinois; associate degree in agricultural production from Lake Land College. source: en.wikipedia.org
- Runs a private Christian school with spouse; formerly on the North Clay Board of Education. source: en.wikipedia.org
- State representative for the 109th House District (2019-2021) and state senator for the 55th Senate District (2021-2023). source: en.wikipedia.org
- Republican nominee for governor in 2022, losing to Pritzker about 54.9% to 42.4%; lost the 2024 Republican primary for the 12th Congressional District. source: en.wikipedia.org
- Won the March 17, 2026 Republican primary for governor with 53.3% of the vote. source: en.wikipedia.org
In their own words
What the candidate says they will work on, from their campaign site or their answers to news-outlet questionnaires. We list it as stated and do not rate it.
- Property taxes: "No family should ever pay more in property taxes than their mortgage" source: baileyforillinois.com
- "lower taxes, cut wasteful government spending, and bring real fiscal responsibility back to Springfield" source: baileyforillinois.com
- Public safety: "stand with law enforcement, not against them" source: baileyforillinois.com
- Schools: "fight to ensure that our schools are fully funded" source: baileyforillinois.com
Look them up yourself
Latest news
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Something wrong or missing? This profile was compiled from public sources on October 16, 2026. Every fact links to where it came from.