Bost defeats Bailey in Republican Primary Election

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (WCIA) — Mike Bost, the incumbent for Illinois’ 12^th Congressional District, has defeated his first major primary opponent.

Bost defeated Darren Bailey in the district. The congressional district includes 34 counties in Southern Illinois.

Bailey previously served in the Illinois House and Senate. He was the 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate, where he lost to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Illinois Primary Elections 2024

Bost has served Southern Illinois in Congress for five terms. He was endorsed by former president Donald Trump over Bailey.

Bost issued the following statement:

“I’m honored that Southern Illinois conservatives have entrusted me to be their voice in Congress for another two years. Serving the people and land I love is the honor of a lifetime. Tonight’s victory was only possible because of the backing of countless friends and supporters from every corner of the district, along with a vitally important endorsement from Donald J. Trump, our next president of the United States. While primaries are never easy, I’m proud that we remained focused on the issues voters care about and ran a positive, results-oriented campaign. I’m hopeful we can work to reunify our party in advance of a critical general election.”

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