Former Illinois GOP Leader Bucks Party to Endorse Pritzker

"A RECEIPT FOR THE ALIBI": A Republican Predicted Pritzker's GOP Endorsement Five Weeks Before It Happened

On August 31, Tom DeVore wrote that the Illinois GOP would eventually make a late, loud show of supporting Darren Bailey - and that it would be an alibi. On October 5, Jim Durkin appeared in a Pritzker campaign video and the state party condemned him within hours. Both halves were on DeVore's calendar.

Former House GOP leader endorses Pritzker, Bailey critical of retired top-dog - Regional Media News

(The Center Square) - One month from election day, Gov. J.B. Pritzker received an endorsement from a former top Springfield Republican who served over Pritzker's opponent during his time in the Illinois House of Representatives. In a campaign video released Monday, former Illinois House Minority [...]

Former Illinois GOP leader bucks party to endorse Pritzker

A former leader of Illinois Republicans is crossing party lines in the race for governor.

Former House GOP leader endorses Pritzker, Bailey critical of retired top-dog

(The Center Square) – One month from election day, Gov. J.B. Pritzker received an endorsement from a former top Springfield Republican who served over Pritzker’s opponent during his time in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Former Illinois House GOP Leader Jim Durkin crosses party line to endorse Gov. JB Pritzker over Darren Bailey

<p>Former Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin on Monday endorsed Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s reelection bid over GOP firebrand Darren Bailey, who Durkin said is “not cut out for the job.” </p><p>Encapsulating tensions within a fractured Illinois Republican Party <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2026/07/20/bob-grogan-illinois-republican-party-new-chairperson-dupage-county-auditor" target="_blank" ><u>12 years …

Former Illinois House GOP leader Jim Durkin endorses Democrat JB Pritzker over Republican Darren Bailey

The former Illinois House Republican leader's public endorsement of the Democratic governor, in a video Pritzker's campaign is scheduled to release Monday, marks a major break for Durkin, who still considers himself a Republican.