Dupage Policy Journal

Conservative activist Kristina McCloy endorsed Darren Bailey and Aaron Del Mar’s gubernatorial ticket during a campaign launch event in Oak Brook, where she called the 2026 race “a turning point” in Illinois politics.

Bailey launched his 2026 campaign on Sept. 25 with a three-stop tour across Illinois. He began the day at Turner’s Table in Carterville, stopped in Bloomington at Barrel House and wrapped up with an evening rally at The Drake Oak Brook Hotel where McCloy delivered her comments. 

“To be honest, we are fighting for the survival of this state,” McCloy said. “Two terms of JB Pritzker has burned our state to the ground. We cannot afford a third term. That's what he does. That's why it is so important tonight. This is not just an election. This is a turning point. We have to decide whether we're going to keep letting the radical left control everything in this state. They control our classrooms to our state budget or if we are going to stand up. And that's why I am proud to support the Bailey-Del Mar ticket.” 

McCloy—a former Downers Grove Township trustee, Trump delegate, founder of Concerned Parents of Illinois and a mom of two—didn’t hold back as she described what she sees as the growing influence of left-wing ideology in schools and government. 

“Radical agendas are replacing real education,” McCloy said. “Teachers are pushing politics instead of actually teaching. And our kids, they're being indoctrinated. And when parents dare to speak up. They silence us and they call us extremists. Well, I've got news for them. If loving our kids standing for our values and protecting families makes us extremist, then so be it. We're not going anywhere.”

The Bailey-Del Mar ticket aims to tap into voter frustration over affordability, taxes, crime and population loss in the state—issues they argue have worsened under Pritzker.

McCloy praised the pairing as a blend of grit and strategy. 

“Darren Bailey is a farmer,” McCloy said. “Darren Bailey is a father. He is not a career politician. Darren Bailey puts his faith, his family, and he puts his principles first. He stood up to Pritzker before, and he is going to stand up to Pritzker again because Illinois families are worth fighting for.”

She then turned her attention to Del Mar as she introduced him as the event’s next speaker. 

“Aaron Del Mar is a businessman,” McCloy said. “He's a conservative and he's a strategist who knows how to win. Aaron brings energy. He brings drive and experience, which complements perfectly to Bailey's grit and to his heart. If you are tired of watching Illinois sink under radical ideologies and leadership, then this is your team. Darren Bailey and Aaron Delmar are the fighters that Illinois family needs.”  

McCloy’s support comes with personal history. In a Facebook post following the event, she revealed that Del Mar had previously asked her to be his running mate when he was considering his own run for governor. 

“It was a pleasure to speak at the Bailey-Del Mar campaign launch in Oak Brook,” McCloy said on Facebook. “When Aaron Del Mar explored a run for governor, he asked me to be his running mate, and I was truly honored. I’m proud to stand with Aaron and Darren Bailey, and I believe this is what’s best for the Republican Party and to take Illinois back.” 

Bailey is reentering the political fray after two consecutive losses, first in the 2022 governor’s race where he lost to Pritzker by 13 points (42.4% to 54.9%), and then in a close 2024 congressional primary against Rep. Mike Bost where he received 48.6% of the vote.

In 2022, Bailey won the Republican primary handily with 57.5% of the vote (458,102 votes), defeating several challengers, including businessman Gary Rabine, whose running mate at the time was Del Mar.

With Trump’s late endorsement, Bailey surged in the primary but struggled statewide in the general election, especially in Cook County, where he received just 24% of the vote.

Now, the former state senator and third-generation farmer is taking a different approach. Bailey’s new campaign branding prominently features the Chicago skyline, a symbolic shift from his previous downstate-centric messaging.

Bailey noted that he sees new opportunity in an electorate discontented about Pritzker’s leadership, citing a recent poll showing Pritzker’s approval below 50%.

There is an opportunity for Bailey to capitalize on Donald Trump’s strong performance in Illinois in 2024.

Trump received 2,449,079 votes in the state in that race. 

By comparison, Pritzker received 2,197,760 votes in the 2022 Illinois governor’s race.

If Bailey can harness the Trump vote in the 2026 gubernatorial race, there is a clear path to winning the state which has not voted Republican for governor since 2014, when Pritzker’s predecessor, one-term governor Bruce Rauner, defeated incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn.

Bailey told reporters he is focused on connecting with urban and suburban voters who are dissatisfied with Pritzker.

“The message is really pretty simple and pretty obvious,” Bailey said, according to Capitol News Illinois. “I mean, taxes are too high. Opportunity doesn’t exist. Our children are moving out of the state, and people just simply can’t afford to be able to live and work here.” 

Del Mar is expected to be a key part of that strategy. As head of the Cook County GOP, he brings crucial organizational experience and suburban reach. 

“If you are tired of watching Illinois sink under radical ideologies and leadership, then this is your team,” McCloy said. “Darren Bailey and Aaron Delmar are the fighters that Illinois family needs.” 

The Bailey-Del Mar team joins a growing Republican primary field that includes DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, former Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski and Lake Forest businessman Joe Severino. 

However, Bailey-Del Mar have quickly positioned themselves as frontrunners, bolstered by Bailey’s near-ubiquitous name recognition from his 2022 gubernatorial bid and his tenure as a state senator.