CHICAGO — Darren Bailey, the Republican candidate for Illinois governor, called Chicago — the state’s largest city — a “hellhole” twice Thursday speaking at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
The line didn’t land well with Chicagoans.
“Chicagoans are notorious for NOT obsessively loving their city… so this should work out well for him,” one person sarcastically tweeted.
Other Chicagoans responded by sharing photos that show the beauty in the city, making fun of Bailey for not knowing about Chicago or encouraging the politician to visit and help people impacted by problems in the city.
Chicago is home to more than 20 percent of Illinois’ people, making it a key battleground in statewide races.
But Bailey is unlikely to see widespread support in Chicago, a traditionally Democratic stronghold — and it’s not the first time the Republican gubernatorial candidate has taken aim at the city.
Bailey, a farmer who lives in downstate Xenia, had previously backed an attempted state resolution that would have called for Chicago to become its own state apart from the rest of Illinois. He backtracked on that after announcing his gubernatorial bid, though he called Chicago a “hellhole” earlier in his campaign before Thursday’s remark.
Despite Bailey’s criticisms, the candidate has made appearances in Chicago, even walking in last weekend’s Bud Billiken Parade on the South Side.
See what Chicagoans said:
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