The Latest Breaking News from Gary Rabine

Republican Jesse Sullivan declared, “What a beautiful day.” GOP frontrunner Darren Bailey called the Supreme Court ruling “historic and welcomed.” If either wins in November, he’d likely still face Democrats in Springfield determined to keep the state’s abortion laws and even try to expand them.

CHICAGO — More than just picking nominees for governor and other offices, Illinois Republicans’ choices this June 28 primary also will determine the GOP’s future and whether the state party’s gradual move to the right in recent years will accelerate.

Bailey frequently interrupted Irvin and the others as they spoke. At one point, during a question about COVID-19 mandates, Bailey told Irvin he shouldn’t be elected governor because he’s a “corrupt Democrat.” Irvin fired back, “I won’t be lectured by someone like Darren Bailey who had a mask…

The debate Thursday evening will be the first chance for voters to see the apparent frontrunners, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, go head-to-head.

It was a bleak picture painted by the half of the GOP primary field — venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan, businessman Gary Rabine and state Sen. Darren Bailey — who squared off during a live debate hosted by WGN-TV.

Irvin is a good in-person politician, a side of him that many in the Chicago area haven’t gotten to see so far. A “Meet Richard” tab on his campaign website features photos, his biography and an option to contribute to his campaign, but no information about public events.

Most of the state’s Republican candidates for governor offered exuberant praise for the anticipated decision upending abortion protections — but the GOP establishment pick declined to weigh in on the political tripwire.

Abortion would be made illegal in 26 states, including neighboring Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin, if the landmark case is overturned, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

The endorsements from Illinois Family Action, Illinois Federation for Right to Life and Illinois Citizens for Life come a day after Bailey reported a $2.5 million campaign contribution from Dick Uihlein, bringing the total the Lake Forest businessman has donated to $3,525,000.