(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The 2022 Illinois gubernatorial primary is 11 months from now. That means it’s time to start campaigning.
A week after Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, announced his re-election plans, Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, embarked on a bus tour.
In a Springfield stop Tuesday, Bailey said his is truly a grassroots movement.
“There are people here today who have never been to a political event,” Bailey told reporters, referring to the crowd of about 50 who viewed Bailey’s rally in a parking lot at 90-degree midday.
“There are people here today who have not voted. They were here today. They talked to us, and they are telling us that we give them hope. All we’re doing is educating them and telling the truth.”
Bailey’s main argument is that Pritzker has abused his power and mismanaged the pandemic to force people — unconstitutionally, he contends — to wear masks.
Bailey’s spokesman said the event was supposed to be inside a Springfield pizza buffet, but the restaurant is now closed Monday and Tuesday. Bailey used the opportunity to blame the governor for the problems businesses have finding help.
Bailey declined to answer a reporter’s question as to whether he has been vaccinated. Earlier this year, he gained notoriety for refusing to wear a mask on the House floor; he was removed.
His campaign promises include stopping taxpayer-funded abortions and repealing the law for a firearm owners’ ID (FOID) card.
Other Republicans in the race include Chicago businessman Gary Rabine, who got attention recently by casting doubt upon the safety and effectiveness of the covid vaccine; and former state Sen. Paul Schimpf.
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, through a spokesman, said his first choice is to run for re-election to Congress, pending the resolution of a congressional map.
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