By Illinois Review
Illinois Republicans have seen this movie before – and it didn’t end well the first time.
In 2022, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin ran what was supposed to be the perfect campaign. Backed by millions in establishment money and endorsed by nearly every top Republican in the state, Irvin was marketed as the “only candidate” who could beat J.B. Pritzker. Instead, he suffered a historic collapse – losing to grassroots conservative Darren Bailey by 43 points, despite spending more than $50 million.
Fast-forward to 2025, and history appears to be repeating itself. This time, the leading man is Ted Dabrowski. And just like Irvin, his campaign is being driven by the same tired playbook – big donors, establishment endorsements, intimidation tactics, and a glaring distance from President Donald J. Trump.
According to federal election records, neither Irvin nor Dabrowski ever donated to or endorsed President Trump. In fact, Irvin’s private texts revealed his contempt for the 45th and 47th president. As WTTW’s Paris Schutz reported, Irvin called Trump “an idiot” and a “bigoted racist” and admitted in another message, “I hate Trump too!”
Dabrowski hasn’t gone that far publicly, but his silence speaks volumes. He rarely mentions Trump’s name and projects himself as a “moderate” Republican – the same label Irvin proudly wore before his campaign imploded.
Both candidates built their campaigns around the blessing of Illinois’ GOP insiders. Irvin enjoyed the support of nearly every party leader and donor. Dabrowski now enjoys the same kind of insider backing from Illinois GOP leader Jeanne Ives and Deputy Senate Republican Leader Jason Plummer – both sitting members of the Illinois Republican Party’s State Central Committee, the party’s governing board. Former State Rep. Tom Morrison is also among Dabrowski’s vocal supporters.
That insider support, however, has long been a curse in Illinois Republican politics. The state’s conservative grassroots – the same people who delivered Bailey’s landslide victory in 2022 – see establishment coordination as a betrayal of their movement and values.
Money followed the same pattern, too. Irvin and Dabrowski both became the presumed “frontrunners” simply because the biggest GOP donors chose to bankroll them early. But no amount of money can buy authenticity – or grassroots enthusiasm.
Both campaigns have also weaponized fear and intimidation. During the 2022 race, Irvin’s operatives reportedly threatened conservative businessman Gary Rabine, telling him to drop out because Irvin was “going to be the nominee and next governor.” When Rabine refused, he was warned that he would be “cut out of the party forever” and that his businesses would “suffer.”
Now, similar intimidation tactics are being used by Dabrowski’s supporters. This publication has been targeted by individuals close to the campaign – threatening the owners of Illinois Review with lawsuits if it continued to report uncomfortable truths about Dabrowski’s conduct and controversies.
It’s a disturbing echo of the Irvin era – when dissent was punished, criticism was silenced, and the establishment demanded blind loyalty to their chosen candidate.
And like Irvin, Dabrowski’s campaign is built on the same hollow message: “Support Ted because he’s the only one who can beat Pritzker.” That’s the same argument Irvin’s team made – and it failed spectacularly.
Voters don’t want to be told who to support. They want to be inspired.
Irvin’s downfall wasn’t just about money or messaging – it was about arrogance. His campaign ignored the will of the people and mocked the conservative base that makes up the heart of the Republican Party in Illinois.
Dabrowski’s campaign is now making the same mistake. Behind the polished talking points and insider endorsements, cracks are already showing. From tone-deaf campaign decisions to numerous controversies, Dabrowski’s operation appears to be imploding under its own weight – just as Irvin’s did.
The pattern is unmistakable: distance yourself from Trump, rely on big donors, bully critics, and dismiss the grassroots. It’s a formula for failure – and Illinois Republicans are watching another establishment-backed campaign unravel before their eyes.
History is repeating itself – and this sequel doesn’t end any better than the original.
