Illinois Democrats Criticize Aaron Del Mar Over Remarks About Barack Obama (Chicago, IL) – The Democratic Party of Illinois is criticizing Republican lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Del Mar after comments he made about former President Barack Obama during a recent campaign rally.
According to the Democratic Party of Illinois, Del Mar, who is running alongside Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, told supporters at a “Save America” campaign event that the 2008 presidential election represented a missed opportunity.
“We had an opportunity to save America in 2008. Remember, remember Barack Obama. That was our chance to save America. We didn’t get it then,” Del Mar said during the rally.
In response, Democratic Party of Illinois spokesperson Gwen Pepin questioned Del Mar’s remarks and contrasted them with President Donald Trump’s record.
“Darren Bailey and Aaron Del Mar should answer this for voters: If President Barack Obama was a missed chance to save our country, is Donald Trump, who has started trade wars, been convicted of 34 felonies, instigated a war overseas, driven up gas prices, and admitted he loves inflation, currently saving the nation?” Pepin said in a statement.
The exchange marks the latest political clash as Democrats and Republicans continue to trade criticism ahead of Illinois’ 2026 gubernatorial election.
Bailey, a former state senator and the Republican nominee for governor in 2022, is seeking the governor’s office again with Del Mar as his running mate. Democrats have increasingly focused on tying Bailey’s campaign to Trump’s policies and rhetoric, while Republicans have criticized Democratic leadership in Illinois over issues including taxes, crime and the state’s economy.
Neither Bailey nor Del Mar immediately responded to the Democratic Party’s statement.
Illinois Democrats Criticize Aaron Del Mar Over Remarks About Barack Obama
