Former Dem Candidate Laying Groundwork for Statewide GOP Run
Dr. Dave Nayak, campaigning in the 2024 Democratic primary for a state senate seat in Chicago. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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A year ago, Dr. Dave Nayak, a pediatrician from Chciago’s northwest side, was running in a Democratic primary for Illinois Senate.
A year later, Nayak is now a Republican and is laying the groundwork for a statewide campaign.
We told you in October that Nayak had changed parties and parroted some of the language of nationally prominent Democrat-turned-Republican Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Now, it appears Nayak is laying the groundwork for a statewide campaign. And he isn’t shying away from his Democratic background.
“What do Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, Tulsi Gabbard, and Elon Musk have in common,” he wrote in a letter to county GOP chairmen and precinct committeemen late last week, pointing out they were all Democrats. “I certainly made the same mistake as they did. I was raised to vote Democrat. When I started to question Democrat’s woke agenda, they came after me.”
His letter included a polling memo from GOP-aligned polling firm M3 Strategies that showed President Trump is underwater (15 points difference between “approve” and “disapprove.” 49% of voters strongly disapprove of his performance.
Governor Pritzker’s numbers are 46% approve and 44% disapprove.
The poll also showed split support for some of Trump’s actions, including immigration and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
When reached Monday night, Nayak wouldn’t say what he’s laying the groundwork for, but sources have told us a statewide run is in his sights.
“Right now, I’m looking to do anything I can to move the Republican Party and our great state forward,” he said. “We want safer streets, a better education for our children, and a reasonable tax and regulatory climate.”
He did not lay out any timeline for discussing his plans but said “that could change soon.”
