President Trump says he supports Republican Darren Bailey's campaign for governor, but you may not see Bailey mention it in his own ads.
"I'm all for Bailey," the President told reporters who asked about the Illinois governor's race as he left Ireland on Sunday. "Bailey is a good candidate. He had a horrible, horrible tragedy ... amazing that he can go forward," he continued, referencing last year's helicopter crash that killed Bailey's son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
"I've already endorsed him," the president said.
Bailey and running mate Aaron Del Mar attended last week's GOP midterm convention in Dallas with the President. However, Bailey didn't post about it on social media, instead focusing on past issue-related comments and criticisms of Democratic incumbent J.B. Pritzker. And while in Dallas, Del Mar told WBBM Newsradio that a Presidential endorsement was "not on our radar."
It's a sign that the Bailey campaign is trying to distance itself from a President who polls suggest is unpopular with a majority of people in the state ... and who is linked to polarizing policies including increases in tariffs and "Operation Midway Blitz."
But the Pritzker campaign was quick to seize on the President's comments, with a spokesperson issuing a release referencing Bailey's past support for the president and his policies.
Of course, the President is no fan of Gov. Pritzker's, and used the opportunity to criticize the incumbent, while noting that Bailey may face an uphill battle in November: "Pritzker's a disaster as governor, you look at what's happening with crime ... Pritzker should lose ... but for some reason, Democrats win there. I don't know why."
The President is set to attend next week's Presidents Cup golf tournament at Medinah Country Club in the northwest suburbs. It's not clear whether that will include a campaign appearance on Bailey's behalf.
Endorsement could complicate GOP nominee's outreach to voters
Endorsement could complicate GOP nominee's outreach to voters
