Trump urges Illinois Republicans to vote by mail, endorses Darren Bailey but skips Senate nominee Don Tracy

Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune on Oct 23, 2026

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CHICAGO — President Donald Trump took to social media Thursday night with an Illinois-focused post that was notable for what it didn’t include: invective-laced attacks on Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Instead, the post was a get-out-the-vote message encouraging Republican turnout. It even urged supporters to cast ballots by mail, a method Trump has falsely claimed is rife with fraud and has unsuccessfully sought to curb.

“Early Voting, in-person, is UNDERWAY NOW in the Great State of Illinois. If you have a mail-in ballot, return it immediately and, if not, GO VOTE at the Polls RIGHT NOW, and get everyone you know to VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICAN IN EVERY RACE, UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT!” Trump wrote on X.

“Whether you VOTE early, absentee, by mail, or in-person, Republicans must SWAMP the Radical Left Dumocrats with massive turnout! In Illinois, you can cast your early Vote, in-person, all the way through November 2nd. SO IMPORTANT — PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE. MAGA!

President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Trump also urged votes for GOP governor nominee Darren Bailey and the state’s three Republican U.S. House members, all from downstate: Darin LaHood of Peoria, Mike Bost of Murphysboro and Mary Miller of Hindsboro.

“These Great Patriots have my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote. “They will never let you down!”

Bailey, a farmer and former state lawmaker making his second bid to unseat Pritzker, has sought to distance himself from Trump this time, as the president remains unpopular in Illinois. Still, Trump has endorsed Bailey in both of his runs for Illinois governor, and Bailey responded to Trump’s post Thursday night, writing: “Thank you, Mr. President.”

Trump did not mention Don Tracy, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin. Tracy, a former Illinois GOP chair from Springfield, is running against Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and he has said he would welcome Trump’s endorsement.

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