Suburban Voters Reject the Modern Republican Party
Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a fly around of the state Monday.
Darren Bailey lost the governor’s race because he lost the suburbs.
The conservative southern Illinois farmer won the vast majority of downstate counties (as of 4:30 a.m., he was losing in Champaign, DeKalb, McLean, Peoria, and Rock Island counties) but met a proverbial “blue wall” and was deeply rejected by Cook and other suburban counties.
Pritzker led in the city of Chicago 81%-17% (falling short of the generally regarded baseline of 20% in the city for a Republican to win statewide. Pritzker leads in suburban Cook County 65%-33%, 59% to 38% in Lake County, 55% to 41% in DuPage County, 50%-47% in Will County, and 49%-48% in Kendall County.
Bailey only won in McHenry County, 51%-46%.
Speaking in Springfield, Bailey conceded, but was undeterred with his criticism of state government.
“Illinois can be better. Illinois must be better. Our leaders must be better,” he said. “And, JB Pritzker, you need to be better. You need to be better for Illinois. You need to be better for our children and you need to be better for our grandchildren.”
Bailey pledged to “roll up my sleeves” and continue working with his “movement,” as some GOP insiders believe he may be planning a challenge to Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) in 2024.
“Republicans need to be the loyal opposition in Springfield,” Bailey said. “Loyal to our state, loyal to our country, loyal to our constitution, but in opposition to the radical policies of the Democrats.”
A key Republican texted us late Tuesday night arguing with Bailey’s assertion.
“He summed up the entire problem with the GOP,” the Republican insider said. “That misses the point that most voters aren’t partisans. They don’t want loyal opposition. They want solutions and problem solvers.”
Because he ran for another state office, Bailey is giving up his seat in the Senate, meaning he’ll leave office in January after one term in the House and one two-year term in the Senate.