East Central Reporter

Gubernatorial candidate and Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey is on a mission.

“We will make Chicago and all of Illinois safe and affordable again,” Bailey recently tweeted. “We love Illinois and we’re fighting for the working-class people who have been abandoned by JB Pritzker and the democrat party. Change and reform are coming, and help is on the way.”

Bailey’s pledge came during a recent GOP rally at the Illinois State Fair, where he directly pointed a finger at Pritzker by adding "Chicago, that once-great city, didn't become a hell-hole just because of Lori Lightfoot and Kim Foxx. Starting with JB Pritzker, our leaders are all in cahoots.”

It was all part of the veteran lawmaker’s overall message where he charged under the direction of democrats the state has become too soft on crime.

"When is the last time that Chicago experienced a night without a shooting,” he added. “Do you know? It's been a while. It's been a long time, and it's time to restore sanity and common sense and integrity and safety on the streets."

Bailey’s statement instantly sparked a war of words, with the Chicago Sun-Times reporting Lightfoot testily retorted “Chicago is no hellhole, but the Bailey campaign sure is a dumpster fire.”

As the republican nominee set to face off against Pritzker in November, Bailey bagged 454,342 votes or 57% of the vote in a crowded GOP primary field that included five other candidates.