Darren Bailey Plans Texas Visit as Illinois Democrats Criticize Trump Alignment (Chicago, IL) – Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his running mate are expected to travel to Texas this week as President Donald Trump and other members of his political movement gather in the state, prompting criticism from the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Gwen Pepin, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Illinois, said Bailey’s participation demonstrates what Democrats describe as a close political relationship between the Illinois candidate and Trump.
“Darren Bailey is once again proving that he’s in the pocket of Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda,” Pepin said in a statement.
Pepin criticized Bailey for associating with Trump while raising concerns about the administration’s policies on tariffs, immigration enforcement and foreign affairs. She also argued that Bailey should address the effects of those policies on Illinois residents.
The Democratic Party of Illinois characterized the Texas trip as an opportunity for Bailey to explain his position on the Trump administration and its policies.
“Will Darren Bailey return from Texas with answers as to why Trump’s corruption and failed agenda has made life harder for Illinoisans, or will he continue pledging his loyalty to his president?” Pepin said.
Bailey, a former Illinois state senator and 2022 Republican nominee for governor, is seeking the Republican nomination for governor in the 2026 election. His campaign’s planned Texas appearance comes as Illinois candidates and political organizations increasingly focus on national political alliances and the role of the Trump administration in state-level campaigns.
The Democratic Party of Illinois’ statement did not include a response from Bailey or his campaign to the criticism.
Darren Bailey Plans Texas Visit as Illinois Democrats Criticize Trump Alignment
