One from a farm in Clay County, one from a Chicago suburb. In Illinois the governor and lieutenant governor are elected together, so one vote covers both. Source: Illinois Constitution, Article V, Section 4.
Governor
Darren Bailey
- A third-generation farmer from rural Clay County in southern Illinois. Source: Bailey for Illinois, Meet Darren; Ballotpedia, Darren Bailey.
- Served 17 years on the North Clay Board of Education, 12 of them as president. Source: Bailey for Illinois, Meet Darren.
- Elected to the Illinois House in 2018 (109th District, 2019 to 2021), then the Illinois Senate (55th District, 2021 to 2023), where he was the lead Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Source: Wikipedia, Darren Bailey (legislative service dates); Bailey for Illinois, Meet Darren.
- Won the Republican primary for governor on March 17, 2026. Source: Wikipedia, 2026 Illinois gubernatorial election.
Lieutenant Governor
Aaron Del Mar
- Born and raised in Palatine, in the northwest Cook County suburbs. Source: Illinois Public Media, The 21st Show, Apr 20, 2026.
- Elected to the Palatine Village Council at 29, the youngest in the village's history, and served four years. Source: Bailey for Illinois, Meet Aaron; Illinois Public Media, The 21st Show, Apr 20, 2026.
- Chairman of the Cook County Republican Party (also 2012 to 2016) and Palatine Township Republican committeeman. Source: Illinois Public Media, The 21st Show, Apr 20, 2026; WSIU, Sept 8, 2026.
- A businessman: he started a sports-management company in 2002. Bachelor's degree in public policy from Indiana University. Source: Illinois Public Media, The 21st Show, Apr 20, 2026.
What they say they will do
The nominees say they will:
- Cut property taxes. Their line: no family should ever pay more in property taxes than their mortgage. Source: Bailey for Illinois, Issues; Capitol News Illinois, Feb 10, 2026. The facts behind it: Taxes.
- Lower taxes, cut wasteful state spending and audit where the money goes. The campaign ties this to families struggling with high taxes, rising utility bills and the cost of living. Source: Bailey for Illinois, Issues; Capitol News Illinois, Feb 10, 2026. The facts behind it: Spending · Fraud and waste · The light bill.
- Stand with law enforcement and give officers the tools, training and support they need. Source: Bailey for Illinois, Issues. The facts behind it: Public safety.
- Fully fund schools, give parents more choice and support teachers. Bailey has also talked about fewer unfunded mandates and more say for local school boards. Source: Bailey for Illinois, Issues; Capitol News Illinois, Feb 10, 2026. The facts behind it: Education.
The full plan is theirs to tell. This is our short summary. Read the whole plan, in their own words, on the campaign's website.
One Illinois, the song
From the cornfields down south to the lake up north. A heartland rock song about the ticket.
Made with AI, just for fun. Not sung by the candidates.
Vote the whole line
Governor and Lieutenant Governor are near the top of your ballot. Take our poll card with you for the rest of the Republican line.
This page is from the Logan County Republican Central Committee. It is not a Bailey for Illinois page, and it uses no campaign logos or campaign art.