Illinois Governor Candidates Pursue Separate Goals at Texas Convention
6 sourcesUpdated Sep 11, 2026
The Illinois governor’s race temporarily shifted to Texas, where Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican nominee Darren Bailey pursued different goals alongside the Republican midterm convention. Pritzker used the trip to rally support for Democrats nationally, promote candidates in Texas and other states, and expand his campaign against current President Donald Trump, while downplaying speculation about his own national ambitions. He also recently launched a $20 million political action committee to support Democrats in congressional races against Republicans in districts Trump won. Bailey and running mate Aaron Del Mar focused on raising money, building national exposure and gathering policy ideas from Republican officials in other states for possible use in Illinois. Bailey’s continued association with Trump creates a political challenge in Illinois, where Trump is particularly unpopular in the Chicago area, a region Bailey needs to improve in after his weak 2022 performance.
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Bailey heading to Texas for exposure could help him stand out but risks looking disconnected from Illinois voters back home.
