By Illinois Review
Four years ago, Illinois Family Action called Darren Bailey “the real deal.”
Today, apparently, he’s only worth a recommendation.
In the 2022 general election, IFA gave Bailey its “hearty endorsement” and praised Bailey and running mate Stephanie Trussell as “valiant voices for pro-life, pro-family issues.”
But this year, with Bailey once again the Republican nominee against Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, IFA has declined to endorse him.
Instead, the conservative organization lists Bailey as merely “recommended.”
Bailey’s record hasn’t changed – IFA’s enthusiasm has.
The shift comes after a contentious Republican primary in which IFA formally endorsed Ted
Dabrowski over Bailey, saying its endorsed candidates had demonstrated a “genuine commitment to pro-life, pro-family, and pro-liberty principles.”
Republican voters made a different choice.
Bailey crushed Dabrowski in the March 17 primary by nearly 25 points, securing the Republican nomination to challenge Pritzker in November.
Now IFA is withholding from Bailey the same formal endorsement it eagerly handed his primary opponent.
The distinction is particularly striking given Bailey’s longstanding record on abortion. Bailey has been one of Illinois’ most outspoken pro-life Republican elected officials and candidates, while Pritzker has made protecting and expanding abortion access a major priority of his administration.
Dabrowski, meanwhile, has been largely absent from Bailey’s campaign against Pritzker. He skipped the Illinois GOP’s traditional Unity Breakfast following his primary defeat. Then, last month – with Bailey entering the final stretch of the general election – Dabrowski launched his own political organization, Fight for Illinois.
Dabrowski may be “fighting for Illinois,” but he has not been visibly fighting for Bailey.
And IFA’s ability to mobilize the conservative grassroots is raising questions of its own.
In August, IFA promoted two “Save America Rallies” in Bolingbrook and Springfield, promising attendees an opportunity to connect with “hundreds of fellow like-minded patriots.”
But at the Bolingbrook event, attendees told Illinois Review that roughly 40 people showed up despite a room arranged to accommodate about 500.
Photos reviewed by Illinois Review show rows upon rows of empty chairs.
For an organization that has long portrayed itself as an influential voice for Illinois conservatives, the images were striking.
IFA may need a “Save IFA Rally” more than a “Save America Rally.”
And that makes its decision to withhold an endorsement from Bailey even more noteworthy. For years, IFA has been an influential voice among Illinois social conservatives on abortion, religious liberty and family issues. Its endorsements were intended to carry weight with conservative voters.
But Republican primary voters spoke decisively in March. They rejected IFA’s preferred gubernatorial candidate and overwhelmingly nominated Bailey.
Bailey’s pro-life positions have been a defining part of his political career. And his opponent is Pritzker, a Democratic governor who has made abortion access a centerpiece of his administration.
IFA called Bailey “the real deal” four years ago.
Now, with Bailey facing Pritzker again, he is apparently only worth recommending.
Grassroots conservatives deserve to know why.
And IFA should answer a simple question:
If Darren Bailey’s pro-life record isn’t enough to earn your endorsement against JB Pritzker, whose is?
