Darren Bailey, Illinois gubernatorial candidate for GOP, receives FOP endorsement
Bailey said Gov. JB Pritzker is soft on crime and anti-police during West Loop announcement
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Republican Darren Bailey welcomed endorsements from both the Illinois FOP as well as the Chicago FOP, noting the 54 people shot, including eight killed, over the weekend in Chicago.
"It breaks my heart to see and watch what's happening to our neighborhoods and our law enforcement members. JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot and Kim Foxx, they've become the three musketeers of crime," Bailey said.
The Illinois FOP has buyer's remorse over its previous support for Gov. JB Pritzker.
"It's time we have a governor who places the rights of citizens before those of criminals, a governor who helps police officers do their jobs rather than punishing them," said Chris Southwood, Illinois FOP president.
And the Chicago FOP also changing candidates after supporting Richard Irvin in the republican primary on the belief he had the best chance to win in November.
"Darren Bailey proved us all wrong. He got historic numbers north of 80 that many of our members didn't think he could do," said Chicago FOP Lodge President 7John Catanzara.
But Pritzker called Bailey a hypocrite for voting against a budget that included more resources for public safety.
"When he says he is pro public safety, and then votes against expanding our crime labs, votes against adding police, votes against us being able to solve crimes quickly, that he is not somebody who actually has public safety in mind," Pritzker said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot bristled at some of Bailey's criticism of Chicago.
"This feckless person, no way, no how deserves to be taken seriously, and he certainly doesn't deserve anyone's vote to be governor of this state," Lightfoot said.
Bailey said the questions voters need to be asking themselves is, "Do they feel safer than they did four years ago and are they better off?"
