North Cook News

At a rally in Oak Brook, Cook County Republican Chairman Aaron Del Mar announced he will join Darren Bailey’s 2026 gubernatorial campaign as the candidate for lieutenant governor—promising to “take back Illinois” if elected. 

The duo's campaign launch on Sept. 25 included a three-stop tour across Illinois, beginning at Turner’s Table in Carterville, then Bloomington’s Barrel House, and concluding with an evening rally at the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook.

Del Mar—also Palatine Highway Commissioner and the youngest councilman ever elected in Palatine—positioned himself as a bridge between the Chicago suburbs and Bailey’s downstate base, delivering a populist message of change.

“It means the world to me to stand before you, not just as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, but as somebody that's deeply committed to the future of our great state,” Del Mar said. 

The Bailey-Del Mar campaign joins the Republican primary field of DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, former Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski and Lake Forest businessman Joe Severino.

Del Mar, who served as co-chair of the Illinois Republican Party until earlier this year, pledged to work with Bailey to unite the state’s fractured GOP.

“We relaunched [the website] for Bailey Delmar for Illinois earlier today,” he said. 

“Six hours ago we launched it and so far we've received over 2000 signups for volunteers across the state. These aren't people that were registered before. This is on the brand new site for their they heard the call across Illinois over 2000 and growing. I'm excited about that because I know it's not just the amazing people in this room. It's everyone at home watching us in the live stream and everyone in Illinois that wants to be a part of this movement.” 

This is Del Mar’s second run for lieutenant governor.

In 2022, he was the running mate of businessman Gary Rabine, who lost the Republican gubernatorial primary to Bailey, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. 

Bailey won the 2022 GOP primary with 57.5% but lost the general election to Gov. JB Pritzker, and in 2024, he narrowly lost the Republican primary for Illinois’ 12th Congressional District to incumbent Rep. Mike Bost by just over 2,700 votes.

“I know for some of you that may come as a surprise. And to be honest, I'm a little surprised to be here as well,” Del Mar said. “After all, Darren and I haven't always stood on the same side of every issue. We've had our differences. We debated, we challenged and we disagreed both publicly and a lot more privately. But you know what? That is what exactly makes this moment so powerful.”  

The Bailey campaign sees an opportunity to capitalize on Trump’s strong 2024 showing in Illinois, where the president received 2,449,079 votes. 

By contrast, Pritzker won re-election in 2022 with 2,197,760 votes, over 250,000 fewer than the votes Trump received in 2024, representing 11% less of the electorate.

If Bailey or another GOP contender can consolidate the Trump vote in 2026, Republicans may have a clear path to retaking the governor’s office for the first time since 2014. That year, Bruce Rauner defeated incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn.

“Illinois is at a crossroads,” Del Mar said at the rally. 

“And at this critical moment, what we don't need is more division, more grandstanding, and more politicians trying to shout past each other. What we need are leaders who are serious about solving problems and willing to work together to do it. And that's why I'm standing with Darren Bailey. Because while we haven't always agreed, we've come to understand something important: if we want to defeat J.B. Pritzker and take the state back for the people, we have to stand together.”

Del Mar said the campaign’s focus is not on personalities, but on building a united front to challenge entrenched Democrat interests.

“This isn't about pride,” he said. “It's not about ego. It is about giving Illinois the strongest, most unified ticket to take on the entrenched political machine and win. So Darren and I are setting our past aside—all the disagreements—and we're coming together for you, for our families, and for the future that we all share together. Because right now, the stakes are simply too high to let division win. You see, this campaign isn't about me, and it's not about him. It's about all of you—the hardworking people of Illinois who deserve leaders who listen, leaders who act, leaders who are always putting the people first, and leaders that aren't apologizing.”

Del Mar framed the campaign around three priorities: affordability, public safety and education. 

“Everywhere I go, from Chicago to Carbondale, to Sagamon County, to Vermillion, I hear the same thing,” he said. “‘Aaron, it is getting harder and harder for us to make our ends meet.’ And that’s right. Illinois families are being crushed by high taxes, rising costs, and a state government that seems more focused on spending than they are on saving.” 

He vowed a break with what he called “reckless” Democratic policies. 

According to a 2025 WalletHub report, Illinois residents face the highest combined state and local tax burden in the nation, paying an average of $13,099—over 16.5% of their annual income. 

This high tax pressure has contributed to domestic outmigration, with many Illinoisans citing taxes as the main reason for leaving despite recent population gains from international migration.

“Under J.B. Pritzker and the Chicago Democrats, taxes have gone up and up and up,” Del Mar said. “Taxes on gas, taxes on groceries, property, paychecks—squeezing the middle class, punishing the regular guy who is just trying to get by. We have some of the highest taxes in the nation. And working people are asked to carry a burden they did not create. This has to change. I'm getting heated up—are you getting heated up?”

Del Mar went on to question the policies of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Pritzker that allow "violent criminals to walk free without bond” and pledged that he and Bailey would “always back the blue” while also investing in mental health, youth outreach, and addiction recovery. 

“Crime is out of control, and nowhere is that more obvious than in Chicago,” he said. “Over Labor Day weekend alone, just that weekend, 54 people were shot, 54 in one American city. That is not just a statistic, that is a tragedy. That is families torn apart, lives shattered and a city living in fear.” 

“Whether you live in a neighborhood on the south side of Chicago or a farmhouse in southern Illinois, you shouldn't have to live in fear,” Del Mar said.

Turning to education, Del Mar argued that it should be a personal priority rather than a political battleground, emphasizing the need to provide every child in Illinois with equal opportunities.

“Every child in Illinois, no matter the zip code, the income, the background, deserves a chance to learn, to grow and to succeed,” he said. 

He called for expanded school choice for parents. 

“Darren and I will fight to ensure that education funding is fair and transparent,” Del Mar said. “We will expand school choice and homeschooling options. And we are here to empower every parent every parent to make the best decision for their children. We will work to uplift teachers not with bureaucracy but with real support and respect.”  

Del Mar closed his speech with a call to unity. 

“Darren and I believe unity isn't about agreeing on everything,” he said. “It's about agreeing on what matters the most and finding common ground to move forward. We're not running to be politicians, we're running to be servants, leaders and problem solvers.”

He continued, building on his message of shared purpose with a passionate appeal to restore pride and possibility in Illinois.

“This campaign isn't about the left or the right,” Del Mar said. 

“It's about right and wrong, and it's wrong to let another generation of Illinoisans grow up in a state that is divided, that is broken, and that is out of touch. We can do better, we will do better, and we will do it together. So today, I'm not just asking you to join us, not just to support our campaign, but to believe in Illinois again. Imagine that—a state that we're proud to tell people we're from, a place where we have excitement when we go home on vacation, believe in a future where your family can thrive, not just get by, believe in a government and elected officials that respect your hard work and respect your tax dollars.”

During his speech, Del Mar acknowledged longtime supporter Kristina McCloy, founder of Concerned Parents of Illinois, who earlier introduced him while passionately endorsing the Bailey-Del Mar ticket as a crucial turning point to combat radical left influence and restore the state. He also revealed that when planning his own gubernatorial run, he had considered McCloy as his lieutenant governor candidate.

“She's a woman of integrity, of courage and deep conviction,” Del Mar said. “Kristina stood ready to run alongside me when I was preparing to launch my own campaign for Governor on my own, and she was here. Her dedication to our shared values and her willingness to step up for the people of Illinois meant the world to me. I will always be thankful and grateful for your support, and I'm honored to have you as a friend.” 

With the crowd on its feet, Del Mar ended by introducing Bailey as “the next governor of the great state of Illinois,” signaling the launch of a ticket both men hope can bring Republicans back to the governor’s mansion for the first time in over a decade.