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FIRST ON FOX — Former Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey launches his bid for Congress in Illinois’s 12th district against incumbent Republican President Mike Bost, R-Ill.
“It’s time for a change,” Bailey told Fox News Digital. “We need more people to stand up and end the compromise that destroys our values.”
Bailey says he can beat Bost through a “base movement” he built during his 2022 gubernatorial bid, which he lost to Democrat JB Pritzker. The Southern Illinois farmer also calls Bost “a career politician” who panders to “the leftist agenda.”
“This is not a career,” Bailey said. “I’ve worked there and fought against the adversity and failures of career politicians, and I’m tired of it.”
State Senator Darren Bailey, a Republican gubernatorial challenger, gestures during a debate with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC GOV. JB PRITZKER RE-ELECTIVE, DEFEATS REPUBLICAN DARREN BAILEY
Bailey and Bost have both been endorsed by former President Donald Trump in their past political campaigns. However, Bailey says he will work hard to get Trump’s endorsement in the primary.
“I’m in communication (with Trump). I’ve had conversations with him for the past few months and my goal is to prove I’m the fighter,” Bailey said.
Bailey also said Trump asked him a year ago if Mike Bost was “a good guy.”
“I said, here’s the deal. He was a congressman all the time you were president. And the fact that you don’t know if he’s the good guy or not should say a lot,” Bailey said.
Illinois gubernatorial hopeful Darren Bailey greets Donald Trump after receiving a message of support at a Save America Rally featuring the former president at the Adams County Fairgrounds on June 25, 2022 in Mendon, Illinois. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
However, the former president did say that Bost was a “proud ally” and “great representative” in his 2022 endorsement. Bost won the seat by 50 points.
“(Bost) knows there’s a threat, and he’s definitely become more conservative than ever in the past year,” Bailey said.
Trump won Illinois’s 12th district in 2020 with 56% of the vote.
Representative Mike Bost, R-Ill., on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 6, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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The Southern Illinois rancher also says he’s no stranger to being outdone by his opponents after running against JB Pritzker’s $152 million reelection bid.
“I don’t expect to match dollar for dollar in any way, but no one has surpassed me,” said Bailey. “I’ve been a farmer all my life, get up early, put in the work. And I will.”
The primary election for Illinois’ 12th congressional district is March 19, 2024.
Lacey Christ is a producer with “Fox News @ Night.”
