Which Republicans Are Positioning For A Run For Governor?
[L-R]: former Sen. Darren Bailey, former Cook County GOP Chair Aaron Del Mar, former Rep. Jeanne Ives, Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria), GOP National Committeeman Richard Porter
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It’s nearly impossible to know what Illinois’ political environment will look like in 2025 when candidates for governor file petitions for the 2026 primary election.
We don’t know if Donald Trump will still hang over the heads of the GOP in the suburbs. We don’t know if JB Pritzker is running for a third term. We don’t know who is writing checks, what the economy looks like, or any number of things more than a year before candidates are launching a statewide race.
Former gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
But chatter is beginning to pick up on what Republicans may get into the mix for a run at the state’s top office.
Just a week after losing a razor-thin race against Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro), rumors about former state senator and 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey’s political future abound.
Just in the last week, Bailey has been tied to a Bost re-match, a U.S. Senate race, or another run for Governor.
Bailey is easily the most divisive of GOP frontrunners.
When we asked multiple GOP insiders around the state who they believed the GOP nominee in 2026, there was no more talked about candidate than Bailey.
“He’s the only guy who can win a primary,” said one insider.
“Please God, not Darren Bailey,” said another.
But Bailey’s team remains mum on his future.
“Right now, he’s taking a much deserved rest and spending time with his family,” a Bailey spokesman said. “Cindy and Darren are praying about what’s next in their future.”
Former Rep. Jeanne Ives. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
Another oft-mentioned potential candidate is former State Representative Jeanne Ives. Ives narrowly lost a 2018 primary challenge to then-Gov. Bruce Rauner and lost a race for Congress in 2020.
When reached Monday evening, Ives only responded with “ha!”
“I don’t think she would,” one source close to Ives said. “It would be a long, grueling race and a guaranteed loss.”
One Republican we spoke to projected Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) would get in the race, especially if Republicans lose the House majority in 2024.
But a source close to LaHood called it a “99.9%” chance LaHood does not run for Governor.
“I can’t read his mind, but there’s no reason for him to give up what he’s got [in Congress] to roll the dice in Illinois,” the source said.
Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria)
One Republican who may be telegraphing his intentions is Aaron Del Mar. Del Mar is the former chairman of the Cook County Republican Party and earned praise in many circles for his performance as a Lt. Governor candidate with GOP gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine in 2022.
Del Mar, who has recently increased his public profile with television appearances and GOP speaking gigs, declined to comment on his political future.
But a source close to Del Mar said there’s a reason for his increased presence.
“He’s not the keynote speaker at 7 Lincoln Day Dinners across the state because he likes the chicken,” the source said.
If LaHood does not launch a campaign for Governor, the “establishment” of the GOP could coalesce around GOP National Committeeman Richard Porter.
Porter, who recently retired after 30 years with Chicago law firm Kirkland & Ellis terms out as National Committeeman later this year.
When asked if he was considering a run for Governor, Porter said he’s waiting to see things shake out.
“I am watching to see how things develop,” Porter said. “There are so many moving parts.”
GOP National Committeeman Richard Porter
Porter flirted with a run for Governor in 2022.
Most Republicans we spoke to agree the GOP needs to adjust its strategy in 2026, no matter who the Democratic candidate for Governor may be.
“If we want a chance of winning, it has to be a suburban, social moderate from outside the current political game who has personal wealth or the ability to raise millions,” one GOP operative said. “If it’s Darren Bailey, we lose by more than we did in 2022.”
Another suburban politico mirrored those sentiments.
“If Republicans want to win, [the nominee should be] pro-choice, suburban, and independent of Trump and the national GOP,” the insider said.
Other Republicans we spoke to floated the names of former Sen. Kirk Dillard, former Miss America and 2018 GOP Attorney General candidate Erika Harold, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, who lost the 2022 GOP nomination to Bailey, Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Hindsboro), House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana), Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville), Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris), 2022 U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Salvi, and 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan as potential candidates.
“Frankly, I don’t think any of them have the chops to actually go all in,” one GOP operative said.
