(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Darren Bailey, the Republican candidate for Illinois governor, is trying to explain a controversial statement he made that is being interpreted by some as an insult to Jewish people.
Jewish news site Forward this week reported comments Bailey made five years ago in which he said the attempted extermination of Jewish people during World War II does not “even compare on a shadow of the life that has been lost with abortion.”
The campaign of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who is Jewish, was quick to respond. It posted an ad telling viewers, “You may have thought you heard everything that Darren Bailey had to say about abortion.”
In one clip, abortion opponent Bailey says he does not support exceptions for rape or incest. The ad then includes Bailey’s comment drawing a line between the Holocaust and abortion.
Bailey on Tuesday issued a statement calling the Holocaust “a human tragedy without parallel,” but he stopped short of issuing an apology.
“I meant to emphasize the tragedy of millions of babies being lost,” the state senator from Southern Illinois said. “I support and have met with many people in the Jewish community in Illinois and look forward to continuing to work with them to make Illinois a safer and more affordable place for everyone.”
Bailey was endorsed in the GOP gubernatorial primary by former president Donald Trump, which is believed to have helped him clear a crowded field June 28. The Republican legislator admitted to misstepping July 4 in the wake of the parade shooting in Highland Park. Bailey initially urged people to move forward with Independence Day celebrations but later apologized.
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