Trump endorses Illinois state Sen. Bailey for governor in GOP primary

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey in Tuesday's GOP gubernatorial primary,

Bailey, who fought against COVID-19 mask mandates, and former prosecutor Richard Irvin, the first Black mayor of Chicago’s largest suburb are among the top GOP primary contenders. Each of them have a billionaire benefactors.

Trump made the endorsement this past weekend at his Save America Rally in Illinois.

Ken Griffin and Richard Uihlein - some the country’s biggest Republican donors - have combined spent $60 million on the two campaign. Griffin backs Irvin, while Uihlein supports Bailey.

Trump’s endorsement of Bailey at a rally Saturday followed the frontrunner Richard Irvin falling behind Bailey in the six-man race. 

“Darren is just the man to take on and defeat one of the worst governors in America," Trump said, referring to Democrat Gov. J.B Pritzker. 

The Democratic Governors Association has spent roughly $34 million on TV ads attacking Bailey’s policies. 

According to the RealClearPolitics polls average, Bailey leads all primary contestant 16.5 points.