East Central Reporter

As the gubernatorial primary nears, candidate Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) reinforced his stance on abortion.

“When other candidates in this race are hiding and refusing to say where they stand, I’m proud to stand to protect life,” Bailey said. “I am proudly pro-life and endorsed by every major pro-life group in the state.”

Recently, leaked drafts from the United States Supreme Court showed the majority of justices will overturn Roe v. Wade — a decision that could lead to harsher abortion policies.

“We live in a state where Democrats hold a supermajority in both chambers, but our laws are too extreme,” Bailey wrote on Facebook. “As Governor, my focus will be on restoring parental notification, ending taxpayer-funded abortion, and prioritizing and ensuring viable options that save lives and support women and families before, during, and after pregnancy.”

Votesmart wrote Bailey voted against repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion Act in October. Illinois Right to Life Action rated him 100%.

“I have stated from the beginning that I would help and promote policies and groups that help empower women with real options and save lives,” Bailey said.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported on April 21 that Bailey had received “endorsements from Illinois Family Action, Illinois Federation for Right to Life and Illinois Citizens for Life” the day after he reported  “a $2.5 million campaign contribution from Lake Forest GOP megadonor Dick Uihlein, who also contributed $1 million to Bailey’s campaign in February and another $25,000 last week.”

The Chicago Sun-Times also reported Bailey was asked during a press conference if abortion should be used to save a woman’s life if needed.

“I think the mother’s life is always important. You know I don’t personally consider that abortion,” Bailey said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “Many times, there’s a medical procedure that has to take place and there’s a choice of life. So, in those instances, I would always obviously lean towards the life of the mother.”

Following the announcement of the leaked draft opinion, Bailey attended a press conference with abortion opponents in Chicago. The Sun-Times reports that he said, “I absolutely love this — hope for Chicago, hope for Illinois and hope for this great nation.”