Former Illinois Sen. Darren Bailey launched his second campaign for the governor's office on Thursday after falling in the 2022 general election to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

One of the highest-profile Republicans to enter the race, the farmer and former state senator announced his candidacy in a social media post, writing in part, "I’m leaving the farm to fight for you — for your family, your freedom, and the future of Illinois..."

Bailey, from downstate Xenia, was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2019 before clinching a state senate seat in 2020.

Bailey, who has positioned himself as an ally of President Donald Trump, gained recognition early during the COVID pandemic in 2020 after he filed a lawsuit against Pritzker following a “stay-at-home” order and highly criticized Pritzke

See Full Page