Darren Bailey, a former state senator and representative from Xenia, defeated three challengers with 52.7% of the vote, with 76% reporting. Former bank executive Ted Dabrowski finished second with 29.5%, followed by James Mendrick at 9.5% and businessman Rick Heidner at 8.3%.

Bailey previously lost to J.B. Pritzker in the 2022 gubernatorial race by 12.5 percentage points, 54.9% to 42.4%, in a state that has largely favored Democrats in statewide elections. Pritzker, who is seeking a third term, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Bailey launched his comeback campaign following a personal tragedy involving the deaths of his son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren in a helicopter crash last fall. Despite the loss, he continued his campaign, framing his run as part of a broader effort to push conservative policies in the state.

Donald Trump, who endorsed Bailey in 2022, encouraged him to remain in the race. Bailey, a devout Christian, said he felt called to continue his campaign.

“There was just this welling up in our heart that set in, and I knew that we were being called to do this,” Bailey told the Chicago Sun-Times ahead of Election Day. “I’m fighting for my children and my grandchildren and a better future for everyone in Illinois.”

In Illinois’ U.S. Senate race, former state Republican Party chairman Don Tracy won the GOP nomination with 40.3% of the vote, with 93% reporting, defeating five challengers.

Tracy will face Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who secured her party’s nomination with 39.3% of the vote, with 75% reporting. She faced a strong challenge from Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who received 33.6%.

Illinois has trended heavily Democratic in recent decades. The last Republican elected to the U.S. Senate from the state was Mark Kirk in 2010, and the GOP’s most recent statewide victory came in 2014. The Democratic nominee is widely viewed as the favorite to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, who is stepping down after three decades in office