Polls give little hope, but Illinois Republican candidates and leaders still believe in November victories
PEORIA, Ill. – Over the past few years, the Lincoln Day Dinner hosted by the Peoria and Tazewell Counties Republican parties have brought in big names in national politics.
The keynote speaker in 2023 was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The following year featured U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson. And last year’s speaker was the former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley.
This year’s focus at Monday night’s dinner was more localized, and tripled in size. The lineup featured three candidates looking to unseat Democrats in November’s general election; Dillan Vancil of Gladstone in the 17th Congressional District, former head of the Illinois Republican Party Don Tracy, and gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey.
All three candidates face uphill climbs in their chances of winning. As of Tuesday morning, the Cook Political Report forecasts all three races as solid Democrat holds.
Bailey, who has a rematch with Gov. J.B. Pritzker after losing to him in 2022, says polling that yea…