Del Mar Calls for Illinois GOP Convention

Aaron Del Mar, former running mate of Darren Bailey, wants Illinois Republicans to hold a March convention to reset the party after 2026 losses.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Political Parties

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a neoclassical state capitol dome in navy and cream against a pale sky, evoking Illinois state politics. — Illinois Republican Aaron Del Mar called Monday for a March party convention to adopt new rules, a platform and leaders after GOP losses in the 2026 election. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think the Illinois Republican Party needs major restructuring to better represent voters?

Illinois Republicans lost every statewide race and many GOP incumbents lost Senate and House seats in the 2026 election. Aaron Del Mar, Darren Bailey's running mate, called Monday for a Republican convention in March to adopt new rules, a platform and leaders.

Why it matters

The call comes after a wide defeat for Illinois Republicans and reflects an internal debate over how the party should rebuild. Del Mar blamed years of lost financial support and a lack of backing from the state party, arguing that Republican voters should control the party.

Every Illinois Republican statewide candidate lost in the November 3, 2026 election, and many GOP incumbents lost their Senate and House seats. The Illinois Republican Party has not yet responded to the convention proposal.

The players

Aaron Del Mar

Del Mar was Darren Bailey's running mate in the 2026 Illinois election and is now calling for a party convention to reset the state GOP.

Darren Bailey

Bailey is a former Illinois state lawmaker and the Republican candidate for governor whose ticket included Del Mar in the 2026 election.

Kristina McCloy

McCloy joined Del Mar in arguing that Republican voters should control the party and that committee members should come from local communities.

The details

Del Mar made the convention call in a statement Monday, saying he does not want to be the next Illinois GOP chair. He and Kristina McCloy said committee members should be chosen from local communities and that the proposed convention would bring together activists, lawmakers and party leaders.

November 3, 2026: Election in which Illinois Republicans lost statewide races and legislative seats.
November 9, 2026: Del Mar publicly called for the convention.
March 2027: Proposed Illinois Republican convention.

Political Context

The proposed March convention would be the Illinois GOP's response to its 2026 wipeout, in which it lost every statewide race and many Senate and House incumbents. Del Mar's argument centers on years of lost financial support, a dispute over whether the state party or grassroots voters should steer the party.

Republican voters in Illinois may see changes to who leads the party and how committee members are chosen if the convention proposal advances. The proposal is still only a call, and no date or agenda has been formally set by the state party.

The takeaway

Party reorganization after a major defeat often turns on whether activists or established leaders control the process. Watch whether the Illinois Republican Party formally responds to the convention call in the coming months.