Ronny Jackson endorses Mike Bost for re-election amid primary challenge from the right

EXCLUSIVE — Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) announced his endorsement of Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) in his re-election bid on Monday as the Illinois Republican finds himself with a primary challenger from the right.

“I’m PROUD to endorse Mike Bost for Congress! Mike is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a conservative WARRIOR,” Jackson, the former White House physician, said in a statement. “He has NEVER turned away from a fight. Now more than ever, Congress needs strong conservatives like Mike. He has my TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”

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Bost is in a tight primary with challenger Darren Bailey, a former Illinois state representative and senator who ran for governor in 2022 but lost by 12 points to Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL). Bailey is trying to run to the right of Bost.

Bailey never gained any traction when he ran against Pritzker. Democrats also saw him as the weakest candidate to take on the incumbent governor and funded ads that bolstered Bailey so they could have a better shot at winning. Combined, Pritzker’s campaign and the Democratic Governors Association dropped $35 million on ads in the Republican primary, hitting Bailey’s more centrist primary opponent.

Both Bailey and Bost are staunch conservatives and supporters of former President Donald Trump. The two of them were both endorsed by the former president in their 2022 election bids. In January 2021, Bost objected to President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory in support of Trump.

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“Ronny Jackson is a true patriot who has served his country in the Trump White House, in Congress, and in the U.S. Navy,” Bost said. “Ronny and I have become great friends because we’re fighting for the same things: President Trump’s America First agenda and draining the D.C. Swamp. I am honored to have his endorsement and value his friendship.”

Bost has also been endorsed by House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH).