Prairie State Wire

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) has won the top spot on the June Republican primary ballot for governor.

Since he filed his candidacy for governor in February 2021, Bailey has made it his mission to convince Illinois residents he would be the best choice to unseat Gov. J.B. Pritzker. 

"GOOD NEWS: we're first on the Republican Primary ballot to fire JB Pritzker. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped fuel our movement to reform Springfield and restore Illinois!!! #twill," Bailey posted onTwitter on Wednesday.

In a March tweet, Bailey lamented the lack of "leadership and common sense" in the Governor's office. "ENOUGH! Taxes are too high! Gas is too expensive! Our schools are failing our children! We have a shortage of teachers and other workers! We have a shortage of police officers! We certainly have a shortage of leadership and common sense in the Governor's office! #twill," tweeted Bailey on March 10.

He has vowed to repeal all of the mandates put in place by Pritzker, particularly where school choice and individual health decisions are concerned. "As your next Governor, I will repeal all of Pritzker’s mandates," Bailey said. "You should make these decisions, not government."

In December, he announced Stephanie Trussell as his pick for lieutenant governor. Bailey described her as "a hard-working conservative" and "a fighter, a mother, a grandmother and Illinois' next lieutenant governor."