UPDATED: GOP to Bailey: "Less Joel Osteen and More CEO"
Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), the GOP nominee for governor, needs to moderate his message and focus on suburban voters if he has a chance in November, said multiple leading Republicans.
Some media types in the state have already gone out of their way to write off Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), the GOP nominee for Governor, as a candidate who can’t win in November.
Bailey, of course, has been dragged by Chicago media for a gaffe calling on the public to “move on” after the mass shooting in Highland Park last week. His pro-gun, pro-life, southern Illinois mantra leaves many Republicans concerned Bailey won’t be able to get himself into a position to compete. But Republicans of all stripes say Bailey can compete if he cleans up his message.
“He needs to be a little less Joel Osteen and a little more CEO,” said former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady, who was affiliated with Gary Rabine in the GOP primary. Osteen is a popular, yet controversial, televangelist. “He needs to realize that if a Republican doesn’t include moderate Republicans, he’s only going to get 30% of the vote in the general.”
Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield), who endorsed Richard Irvin in the GOP primary, says he believes Bailey can still win the general election, but he has to act like a Governor first.
“He’s at the top of the ticket now. He is responsible for uniting the party, not alienating half the party,” Butler said. “ All Republicans want to win in November, and we know the path to success is through the suburbs. Bailey needs every Republican for us to be successful and it’s his job now to make sure that happens.”
UPDATE (1:00 PM):
A spokesman for Bailey says the campaign has begun efforts to unify the party.
“We attended a unity event last night and more are scheduled in the days ahead,” said campaign spokesman Joe DeBose. “"We are confident we will unify the Republican party and defeat Pritzker in November.”
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Brady agreed that Bailey needs to focus his efforts north.
“I would have him spend everyday the balance of the campaign north of I-80 talking taxes, inflation, gas prices, and crime,” he said. “These are solutions only Republicans are going to talk about, not Democrats.”
It isn’t clear yet if Bailey has taken steps to ease tensions with either legislative caucus. A spokesperson for Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) said the two men have spoken since the election, but didn’t go into any details. A spokesperson for Durkin did not respond to our request. Durkin may be the tougher nut to crack as Bailey’s legislative allies, the so-called “Eastern Caucus,” often create some headaches for Durkin. Bailey is also being supported by a PAC operated by right-wing radio host Dan Proft, who has attacked Durkin repeatedly, challenged his members, and even tried to take out the leader in a primary a few years ago.
One of Bailey’s House allies, Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) says Bailey’s key to success is simple.
“Stay on message,” Caulkins said. “Governor Pritzker is the most radical governor in the country and it gives Darren lots of issues to talk with voters about.”
UPDATE (1:00 P.M.):
Bailey’s campaign did not return a request for comment last night.
Bailey’s campaign says it is working to appeal to moderate suburban and Chicago voters.
“All voters are concerned about crime, the economy, and our children’s education,” said DeBose. “[JB] Pritzker is an out-of-touch billionaire who has failed on all three and Darren Bailey will continue focusing on supporting law enforcement and repealing Pritzker’s soft on crime agenda to provide safer communities.”
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Bailey’s fundraising, messaging, and media coverage will play a key role in whether he can give Pritzker a run for his money in November.