By Illinois Review
Darren Bailey’s decisive victory in Tuesday’s Republican gubernatorial primary wasn’t just a win for a candidate – it was a clear rejection of the political class, consultant-driven campaigns, and the failed playbook pushed by two of Illinois’ most prominent GOP operatives.
With more than 53 percent of the vote, Bailey defeated Ted Dabrowski by a wide margin, securing nearly 300,000 votes statewide. Dabrowski, despite heavy backing from establishment voices and media allies, finished a distant second at just under 29 percent.
The race was called shortly after polls closed.
But beyond the numbers, the outcome delivered a devastating verdict on Dabrowski’s top campaign advisors – Florida’s Dan Proft and DuPage County’s Jeanne Ives.
For years, Proft and Ives have positioned themselves as kingmakers within Illinois Republican politics. They’ve claimed to understand the path to victory, especially in statewide races. But Bailey’s landslide win tells a different story – one that grassroots voters have now made impossible to ignore.
Their candidate lost. Badly. And it wasn’t an isolated failure.
Over the past decade, Proft and Ives have repeatedly backed candidates who fall short when it matters most. Expensive campaigns, heavy media influence, and insider strategies have not translated into consistent wins. Instead, they’ve produced a track record defined by missed opportunities and political miscalculations.
This time, they had everything lined up.
Dabrowski benefited from favorable media coverage, including a controversial AM 560 “poll” conducted among just 164 listeners – many of whom were already part of the station’s conservative audience. The same station where Proft and Ives serve as hosts and consultants to Dabrowski’s campaign.
The conflict of interest was obvious. And voters saw through it.
At the same time, Dabrowski’s campaign was plagued by controversy. Questions surfaced about Wirepoints, the nonprofit he previously led, potentially violating IRS rules by engaging in political attacks during the race. His campaign also drew criticism for spending more than $180,000 a quarter on consultants – hardly the model of fiscal discipline he claimed to represent – including $25,000 per month to Florida-based Chicago radio host Dan Proft.
Bailey’s campaign, led by manager Jose Durbin, once again proved that grassroots strategy and message discipline outperform consultant-heavy campaigns driven by insiders. Durbin has now delivered back-to-back victories in statewide Republican primaries, solidifying his reputation as one of the most effective conservative campaign strategists in Illinois.
That record stands in sharp contrast to Proft and Ives.
While they continue to command attention in media circles, their results on the ground tell a far less impressive story. Election after election, the candidates they promote fail to close the deal.
Bailey’s victory didn’t just secure the nomination – it reset the scoreboard.
It proved Illinois Republican voters are done being lectured about “electability” by consultants with a losing record. They’re backing candidates who connect with voters, build real coalitions, and stand firm on conservative principles – not candidates propped up by endorsements from legislators and retired politicians.
Now, Bailey heads into a rematch against JB Pritzker.
After this primary, one thing is clear: the old playbook pushed by Proft and Ives isn’t just outdated – it’s been decisively rejected. After pouring an estimated $59 million into campaigns over the years with little to show in terms of statewide victories, their record speaks for itself.
Bailey’s commanding victory also came against a broader field that failed to gain traction. DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick finished a distant third with roughly 9.6 percent of the vote, while businessman Rick Heidner trailed at about 8 percent.
