Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, last faced a primary opponent in 2018 when the longtime lawmaker cruised to victory with nearly 84% of the vote.

However, this year former GOP gubernatorial nominee and former state legislator, Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, is hoping to unseat Bost from the 12th Congressional District when voters go to the polls next month.

“He says I'm a professional politician,” Bost said of Bailey on the Politically Speaking podcast. “Well, he's a professional candidate.”