Trump's record set to be major talking point in Illinois gubernatorial race

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The midterm elections are typically tough on the sitting president's party, and that's something that Darren Bailey, a Republican candidate for Illinois governor, is keenly aware of.

Bailey is taking on a different strategy in this campaign than the one four years ago, when he lost to Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker by 13 points. He greeted supporters in Palatine on Tuesday morning as part of a 19-stop collar county tour this week with his running mate, Aaron Del Mar, whose political base is there. Voter turnout is a big concern in this race.

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"We've got work to do. We know that 43% turnout across the state four years ago flat, didn't cut it," Bailey said.

The duo are counting on becoming the Republican nominees.

"So, during this Republican primary, Darren and I are going to be spending a little bit of time in southern Illinois. But the second this primary is over, we're going to be spending 100% of our time up north in the collar areas," Del Mar said.

Pritzker, meanwhile, convened a panel of community members to talk about the impact of the first year of President Donald Trump's second term.

"We're here today so that I can hear more from you about how has this year been for you and for your family," Pritzker said.

Day care operator Daphne Williams raised concerns about the federal freeze on childcare grants.

"I don't even know what to say about how detrimental that will be," Williams said.

Criticizing the president at nearly every move has become an election year theme for Democrats. Pritzker, considered a presidential hopeful, is a chief critic.

"The fact that people started paying attention to the things that I was saying was, frankly, a little bit surprising to me, but it was a result, I think, of no one else really was saying and being as blunt as I was," Pritzker said.

Bailey hopes not to be hurt by connections to Trump, something Pritzker seems likely to exploit.

"I'm running for governor of the state of Illinois. I said that the last time. I'm my own person. If he wants to try to do that, more power to him. That's fine, but I've got the track record of standing up and speaking for the people of Illinois," Bailey said.

Interestingly enough, both Bailey and Pritzker talked about affordability as being a key issue for voters this year. But where they disagree is who is to blame for the problem.

But before Bailey can focus on November, he has to win the primary in March.