Darren Bailey

Darren Bailey (March 17, 1966[1]) is an American farmer and politician.

Darren Bailey
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 55th district
Assumed office
January 13, 2021
Preceded byDale Righter
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 109th district
In office
January 9, 2019 (2019-January-09) – January 13, 2021 (2021-January-13)
Preceded byDavid Reis
Succeeded byAdam Niemerg
Personal details
Born (1966-03-17) March 17, 1966
Louisville, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Cindy Stortzum
Children4
ResidenceXenia, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materLake Land College (AS)
ProfessionFarmer

Bailey is a Republican member of the Illinois Senate for the 55th district. Previously, he was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 109th district in Southern Illinois. The 109th district at the time, located in the Illinois Wabash Valley, included all of Edwards, Jasper, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White counties and parts of Effingham and Lawrence counties.[2][3]

Early life and education

Baily was born in Louisville, Illinois,[4] on March 17, 1966.[1] He graduated from North Clay High School and earned an Associate of Science degree in Agricultural Production from Lake Land College.[1]

Political career

Bailey, of Xenia, Illinois, was a member of the North Clay Board of Education.[1][5][6]

In a rare victory for candidates supported by Dan Proft's Liberty Principles PAC,[7][8] Bailey defeated David Reis in the 2018 Republican primary.[5] Bailey then defeated Democratic candidate Cynthia Given, the Secretary of the Richland County Democratic Party,[9] by a margin of 76.14% to 23.86%.[10]

On July 8, 2019, Bailey announced his intention to run for the Illinois Senate seat being vacated by Dale Righter.[11] He won the March 17, 2020, Republican primary.[12][13] Bailey defeated Democratic Party candidate Cynthia Given in the general election.[14]

In April 2020, Bailey sued Governor J. B. Pritzker, claiming that the governor's stay-at-home order extension to mitigate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was unfairly affecting residents of Clay County. A judge granted a temporary restraining order against the stay-at-home order, though it only applies to Bailey.[15][16][17] Pritzker stated he would appeal the order and characterized Bailey's lawsuit as a "cheap political stunt."[18] On May 20, 2020, the Illinois House voted 81–27 to remove Bailey from its session for refusing to wear a mask.[19][20] The following day, Bailey attended the House wearing a face mask as required by the rules.[21]

Electoral history
Illinois 109th State House District Republican Primary, 2018[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darren Bailey 9,729 56.76
Republican David B. Reis (incumbent) 7,411 43.24
Total votes 17,140 100.0
Illinois 109th State House District General Election, 2018[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darren Bailey 30,048 76.14
Democratic Cynthia Given 9,417 23.86
Total votes 39,465 100.0
Illinois 55th State Senate District Republican Primary, 2020[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darren Bailey 24,572 77.04
Republican Jeffrey E. (Jeff) Fleming 7,324 22.96
Total votes 31,896 100.0
Illinois 55th State Senate District General Election, 2020[25][26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darren Bailey 78,010 76.68
Democratic Cynthia Given 23,726 23.32
Total votes 101,736 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

Bailey is married to Cindy Stortzum,[3] and they have four children and 8 grandchildren.[1] He owns a family farm.[1]

References
  1. "Representative Darren Bailey (R) 109th District". 101st Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  2. "Representative District 109" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. May 18, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  3. "Darren Bailey Announces Run for State Representative in the 109th District". Olney Daily Mail.
  4. "About". RepBailey.com. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  5. Stewart, Keith (March 20, 2018). "Bailey defeats Reis in 109th District GOP primary". Effingham Daily News. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  6. Hug, T.J. (March 16, 2018). "Bailey challenges Reis for 109th district seat". Navigator Journal. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  7. Miller, Rich (March 21, 2018). "The Proft Scorecard". Capitol Fax. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  8. Korecki, Natasha (August 17, 2018). "'I know he's frustrated': GOP megadonor on staggering losing streak". Politico. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  9. Miller, Rich (October 31, 2018). "Two candidates who deserve notice… and respect". Capitol Fax. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  10. "2018 General Election Results". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  11. Miller, Rich (July 8, 2019). "Minister who delivered controversial House prayer to run for House". Capitol Fax. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  12. Perry, Scott (March 18, 2020). "Area wrap: Bailey earns 55th district nod, and other area results from Tuesday's primary election". Herald & Review. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  13. Cordes, Kaitlin (March 17, 2020). "Bailey wins 55th District Republican nod". Effingham Daily News. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  14. Griffith, Cathy (November 3, 2020). "Bailey wins 55th Senate seat". Effingham Daily News. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  15. Corley, Cheryl (April 28, 2020). "Illinois Lawmaker Files Lawsuit; Wants Stay-At-Home Rules Lifted". NPR. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  16. Pearson, Rick; Munks, Jamie; Petrella, Dan (April 28, 2020). "Southern Illinois judge temporarily blocks Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order from applying to Republican state lawmaker who sued". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  17. Tareen, Sophia; O'Connor, John (April 27, 2020). "Judge rules Pritzker's stay-at-home order an overreach". Associated Press. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  18. "Pritzker Blasts Bailey Lawsuit as 'Cheap Political Stunt,' Vows Swift Appeal". NBC Chicago. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  19. Klar, Rebecca (May 20, 2020). "Illinois House removed GOP rep from legislative session after he refused to wear a mask: 'A callous disregard for life'". The Hill. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  20. Stimson, Brie (May 21, 2020). "Illinois House votes to remove Republican rep from session for refusing to wear mask". Fox News. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  21. "House lawmaker returns to session with mask". The State Journal-Register. May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  22. "Election Results 2018 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  23. "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  24. "Election Results 2020 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  25. "Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  26. "Illinois 2020 Election Results". Chicago Sun-Times. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
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