Lacking establishment support, Bailey says grassroots congressional campaign will win

Last year, the Republican challenger for governor rode into the Illinois State Fair on a John Deere tractor. This year, political signs for the now congressional candidate are scant on the fairgrounds.

Questions had circled for weeks as to whether Darren Bailey would make a return to Springfield for Illinois Republican Day. Thursday did see the Xenia farmer make an appearance, where he spoke to reporters briefly at the Director's Lawn.

Fellow party members mostly dodged questions regarding indictments surrounding former President Donald Trump, instead trying to bring the focus in on state issues, but not Bailey - endorsed by Trump for Illinois governor last year.

More: Illinois Republicans back early voting and mostly skirt discussing Trump at state fair

"It's a complete witch hunt," Bailey told reporters, adding later that he would again like Trump's endorsement in his congressional run. "We need more Attorney General's across the United States actually... filing indictments against Joe Biden."

Bailey concluded his term in the state Senate in January after a failed gubernatorial attempt in 2022. He never ruled out a return to politics in the months following and announced his run for the Illinois 12th Congressional District in July.

There, he will face off against U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, a five-term congressman representing 34 counties in southern Illinois. Bost was not in attendance for GOP Day, but was joined by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for an O'Fallon campaign event that afternoon.

Bailey characterized the Bost-McCarthy event as a "sign of desperation," from his primary opponent and attempted to link him as a Washington insider.

"Mike Bost has been very loyal to DC and I expect DC to be very loyal to Mike Bost," Bailey contended. "When I get elected, my loyalty is going to go to the people in the 12th congressional district."

Who wins the district primary will likely go on to victory in the deep-red district, but Republicans will face tougher battles in the state's other congressional districts.

Potential flips identified by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap, exist in the sixth, 11th, 14th and 17th districts that would to the GOP's four-seat majority in the House. Illinois Democrats hold office in 14 out of 17 districts.

Contact Patrick Keck: (312) 549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Darren Bailey, candidate for Congress, stumps for votes at state fair