Metro East Sun

Illinois State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville ), Republican gubernatorial candidate, encourages Metro East residents to attend Republican Day at the State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 18.

Citing the importance of sending incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) a strong message, Bailey made a plea to Metro East residents. 

"I encourage everyone in the Metro East area who is able to take the time to drive to Springfield and participate in Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair to make that short trip," Bailey told the Metro East Sun.

The event, which is expected to serve as a mini-referendum on Pritzker's failed policies, is only open to the first 1,500 people who register on the Illinois GOP website. 

“It is important for us to send a unified message to J.B. Pritzker that we want a new direction for Illinois,” Bailey said. “His failed policies are destroying our economy and hurting working families.”

With Bailey citing rising gas prices and higher school supply prices as examples of Pritzker's failed policies, which are causing hardworking Illinois residents to become overworked and overtaxed, the Republican gubernatorial challenger calls for a change in the upcoming election.

"There is a lot at stake in this election," Bailey said. "Let’s send a message to J.B. Pritzker that there is strong momentum to make him a one-term governor. If you can make it out, we would love to see you at Republican Day at the Fair."

Those who have registered beyond the 1,500 available slots "will be issued a simple ticket allowing them admission into the Republican Day Rally event but not free admission onto the fairgrounds or a free BBQ lunch," according to the Illinois GOP website.

Bailey's call to limit Pritzker's tenure to a single term comes at a time when support for Republican challengers to incumbent Democrats is growing as an endorsement for conservatives grows, and President Biden's popularity rating wanes to an all-time low. A recent Gallup survey revealed that "59% of respondents disapproved of Biden’s record in office," according to the New York Post on July 29.

Apart from the battle on the gubernatorial front, the GOP is also confident that it will take solid control of the U.S. House of Representatives in a so-called "red wave" in November. According to Don Tracy, the party's chairman earlier this year, election integrity is the Illinois GOP's top priority as the fall elections draw near.

Election analyst Nathan Gonzales wrote on Roll Call, "Republicans may have eaten into their potential 2022 gains by outperforming expectations and gaining a dozen House seats in 2020. But they’re still on track to do well and likely reach well into the double digits this fall."