Legislators in Illinois’ Jewish Caucus Condemn Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey’s Hate Speech
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Through his own words, Darren Bailey has revealed himself to be wholly unfit to serve as our Governor. Social media posts that denigrate Muslims, marginalize LGBTQ people and callously use the Holocaust to score cheap political points are unworthy of the office he seeks, and we will not lower ourselves to repeat them here. Bailey’s extreme, hateful views toward so many of the Illinoisans he seeks to represent patently disqualify him from serving as our Governor.
We face extraordinary challenges that demand serious leadership and an ability to solve problems with empathy and cooperation, not divisive rhetoric designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator among the extreme fringe of the right wing.
Bailey’s discriminatory remarks are not one-off misstatements but reveal a pattern meant to marginalize, demean, and defame members of our communities. It follows a disturbing trend among fringe extremists that reflects a racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, and misogynistic agenda– and it has no place here.
The Jewish Caucus stands in solidarity with those who seek to unite our diverse communities in the spirit of cooperation towards the common good and stand against bad actors that seek to tear us apart. We applaud organizations that have stood firm against Bailey’s hate-filled rhetoric including Anti-Defamation League Midwest, Springfield Jewish Federation, Muslim Civic Coalition, Personal PAC, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, Illinois NOW, Protect Our Courts, and the many individual leaders that have spoken out.
Darren Bailey’s casual disregard for the basic dignity of his fellow Illinoisans proves that he is unfit to lead.
State Representative Jonathan Carroll
State Representative Kelly Cassidy
State Representative Margaret Croke
State Representative Daniel Didech State
Representative Robyn Gabel
State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
State Representative Will Guzzardi
State Representative Anna Moeller
State Representative Bob Morgan
State Representative Denyse Wang Stoneback
State Representative Sam Yingling
State Senator Laura Fine
State Senator Sara Feigenholtz
State Senator Julie Morrison
State Senator Ram Villivalam