Bost/Bailey Primary Devolves over Ukraine Funding
Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) [L] is facing a challenge from former State Senator and 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey [R].
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It’s over 5,000 miles as the crow flies between Carbondale, Illinois and Kyiv, Ukraine, but it appears the Russian invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine is set to be a hot topic in a southern Illinois congressional primary.
Former State Senator and 2022 GOP nominee for Governor Darren Bailey is challenging five-term incumbent Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) in the 12th district, which stretches along 30 counties covering over 5,000 square miles from the southern tip of Illinois.
Bailey subtly criticized Bost over Ukraine funding in a Facebook post Monday, Bost, of course, flipped to the right Wednesday, voting against a Ukraine funding measure.
Bailey was more direct in his criticism in a news release late Thursday.
“I have always been against sending blank checks to Ukraine,” Bailey said, hoping he’s found a wedge issue in the race. “I believe protecting our own border takes precedence over protecting Ukraine’s. I have and will always put Illinois and America first. Unlike Mike Bost, I do not need to take a poll to tell me what my principles are. It is time for real leadership, and it is time to retire D.C. swampers like Mike Bost who talk about securing our border and never do, while they use our tax dollars to support the war in Ukraine before a poll tells them they’re against it."
The only polling in the race occurred shortly after Bailey entered the race in early July and showed Bost with an initial six point lead.
“Of course, the guy who is going to look the most pro-Putin is probably the one who wins a Republican primary in 2024,” said one downstate GOP consultant. “It’s like Republican voters have lost their minds.”
Bailey is courting the Trump endorsement, seemingly traveling to every Trump event within driving distance of southern Illinois, and his campaign is trying to sell a book event with Donald Trump, Jr. as a de facto endorsement from the former President.
A southern Illinois insider we spoke to says having Trump Jr. in the district is causing a stir in Republican circles.
We won’t have a sense of fundraising until mid-October when third quarter campaign finance numbers are due. Bailey didn’t announce his campaign until after July 1, so he hasn’t had to disclose any fundraising.
Bost previously reported about a million dollars in the bank.
