Bailey w/Big Lead in Latest GOP Governor Poll

A new poll sponsored by the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ Radio shows St. Sen. Darren Bailey with a clear and significant lead in the race for the Republican nomination for Illinois governor.

The poll of 677 likely Republican voters was taken earlier this week by Public Policy Polling and shows 32% of those surveyed favor Bailey for the GOP nomination to 17% for Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin. The only other candidate getting a double digit response was Springfield area venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan, with 11%. 

When the poll is broken down geographically, Bailey leads Irvin 38% to 14% downstate, but was also ahead in the Chicago collar counties, 29% to 18%, and in suburban Cook County, 29% to 21%. Also worth noting, Sullivan is the leader in Chicago with 26%, followed by Irvin at 16% and Bailey at 13%. 

As far as the chief areas of concern among those polled, 44% chose the economy. Crime and corruption came in second at 11% each, taxes 10%, and abortion 8%. 

The news of the poll comes just as Bailey and running mate Stephanie Trussell begin a 14-day tour to visit all 102 Illinois counties. A kickoff rally will begin Sunday at 4pm at the Effingham County Fairgrounds at Altamont.