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Saturday, September 30, 2023
Chicago News Metro/State

Chicagoans show off their city after Darren Bailey calls it a ‘hellhole’

The Republican gubernatorial candidate’s claim elicited a strong response on social media.

By  Katelyn Haas
   
SHARE Chicagoans show off their city after Darren Bailey calls it a ‘hellhole’
Illinois gubernatorial hopeful Darren Bailey waves to the crowd during a Save America Rally with Donald Trump at the Adams County (Ill.) Fairgrounds on June 25, 2022 in Mendon, Illinois.

Bailey appeared late last week at a GOP rally during the Illinois State Fair, where he attacked Chicago and its Democratic leadership for failing to address crime and other issues.

Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

Darren Bailey, the Republican candidate for Illinois governor, called Chicago a “hellhole” twice on Thursday, bringing out Chicagoans’ city pride on Twitter in response.

Bailey, who is running against incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the general election, appeared late last week at a GOP rally during the Illinois State Fair, where he attacked Chicago and its Democratic leadership for failing to address crime and other issues.

The “hellhole” jab is a line he introduced in a debate in Chicago nearly three months ago — and it’s become part of his campaign patter since then.

Over one-fifth of the state’s residents live in Chicago.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot did not leave the comment unchecked, swinging back on Friday against the claim — and that she is partly to blame — by slamming the downstate farmer’s gubernatorial campaign as a “dumpster fire.”

“Chicago is no hellhole, but the Bailey campaign sure is a dumpster fire,” the mayor tweeted.

After Bailey doubled down yet again, Chicagoans on Twitter rose up in their city’s defense.

Here’s how Chicagoans showed off their city:

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