East Central Reporter

Darren Bailey (R), former Illinois state representative, former state senator and recent candidate for governor, announced on July 4 that he intends to run against incumbent fellow Republican Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) for Illinois House of Representatives.

"I'm ready to continue our fight for hard-working families in Southern Illinois. I'm running to fight for you in Congress by representing Illinois' 12th District," he tweeted on July 5. "This district is my home, where my family is and where we own and operate our family farm."

Bailey filed paperwork on July 4 to run against five-term incumbent Mike Bost, according to Politico. Bost's last primary challenge was in 2018, and he has since been consistently winning his district against Democrats. 

“The high-profile GOP primary contest pits two Trump-supporting conservatives against each other,” Politico said. “Bailey is a southern Illinois farmer whose run for governor was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and Bost is a five-term congressman and U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was also endorsed by Trump.”

Bailey has built his political image as a MAGA Republican, and a current endorsement by Trump would be a huge boost. Politico reports that that support may be unlikely, though, since House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reportedly told Trump that he supports Bost. Trump may be turned off by Bailey's loss to Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) in the 2022 election. 

Not all Republicans have been welcoming of Bailey's announcement to run.

“Darren Bailey moved to a downtown Chicago penthouse to get blown out by J.B. Pritzker; now he’s back seeking another political promotion,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Chris Gustafson said, according to Politico. “Mike Bost is focused on delivering conservative results for Southern Illinois, and that’s why voters will reelect him.”

Bailey is a third-generation family farmer in rural Southern Illinois. A graduate of North Clay High School and Lake Land College, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives 109th District in 2018, then was elected to the state Senate representing the 55th District, according to his campaign website.