By Illinois Review
Ted Dabrowski’s Illinois governor campaign is under mounting pressure as conservative donors begin to call for the removal of former State Representative Jeanne Ives from her role as advisor and campaign surrogate, following allegations that she leaked a sensitive internal document from Darren Bailey’s 2022 campaign – where she also served as an advisor.
The disclosure has sparked outrage within Republican circles. Just last month, Ives formally endorsed Dabrowski’s candidacy, describing him as the “better option” for Illinois Republicans.
The leaked file – an internal human resources document – concerned a personnel matter that was quietly resolved nearly three years ago. But insiders say the real controversy now centers on how Ives obtained the document and why she chose to weaponize and circulate confidential information from a campaign she once worked on, for political gain.
According to multiple sources, pressure on Dabrowski intensified over the weekend and into Monday morning as several financial backers urged the swift removal of Ives from the campaign. Conservative leaders warned of future lawsuits in response to the leak and its publication.
During Bailey’s 2022 campaign for governor, both Jeanne Ives and conservative media figure Brian Timpone served in advisory roles and had access to confidential campaign information. The two share close ties with Naples-based Chicago radio host Dan Proft, who ran the pro-Bailey political action committee People Who Play By The Rules PAC. The trio are long-time political allies and have collaborated on numerous operations over the years. Dabrowski is also a frequent guest on Proft’s Chicago radio show, which is broadcast from Naples, Florida.
The leaked document surfaced in one of the news outlets operated by Timpone – and formerly owned by Proft – a network that has repeatedly drawn scrutiny. A link to the article, which included the leaked document, also appeared briefly on Wirepoints, the publication Dabrowski previously led as president before stepping down to launch his gubernatorial campaign.
Republican donors and grassroots activists alike have expressed frustration that Dabrowski’s campaign has failed to gain traction statewide and that internal controversies like this one are distracting from any coherent message.
Political observers note that Ives’ reputation has already suffered in recent years. Once celebrated as a conservative reformer, she has alienated allies through divisive tactics and questionable alliances.
For many within the party, this latest episode represents the final straw. The leak has prompted some Republicans to draw comparisons between the Dabrowski campaign’s tactics and those once associated with Barack Obama’s hard-edged rise to power.
In 2004, Obama’s U.S. Senate campaign was widely believed to be connected to the leaking of sealed court documents belonging to Democratic primary rival Blair Hull. The release of Hull’s divorce records destroyed his frontrunner status, clearing the path for Obama’s nomination.
Later that same year, sealed divorce records belonging to Republican U.S. Senate nominee Jack Ryan, where Proft served as a campaign advisor, were leaked to the press, forcing him to withdraw from the race – effectively clearing the path for Barack Obama’s easy general election victory. Just four years later, Obama would be elected the 44th President of the United States.
Within conservative circles, the leak involving Ives is being described as a serious breach of ethics – one that could expose her to potential legal action. The use of a confidential personnel document from another campaign for political advantage is widely seen as both unethical and desperate, serving as fresh evidence, critics say, of a campaign struggling to remain relevant.
For Dabrowski, the fallout could be severe. With major donors demanding accountability and grassroots conservatives questioning his leadership, his next move may define his campaign.
Whether he stands by Ives or cuts ties will determine not only his viability as a candidate but also his credibility as a conservative reformer.
As one GOP leader put it, Ted Dabrowski faces a choice: run an honest campaign or keep Jeanne Ives. He can’t do both.
