Bailey Takes a Page from Pritzker's Yearbook...But Why?
Gov. JB Pritzker and then-Sen. Darren Bailey debate in 2022. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
It isn’t much of a surprise to many political observers that Pritzker-Bailey 2.0 has the possibility to get more personal than the first time around in 2022. We’re told Pritzker is leading handily in all private polls, Bailey’s fundraising is struggling, and he’s continuing to struggle to grow his base outside of downstate conservatives.
But, when Bailey attacked Pritzker this week using a page of a 45-year-old prep school yearbook, it raised a few eyebrows as to what Bailey is actually insinuating.
The post takes a page out of a Milton Academy boarding school yearbook, a prestigious school attended by the likes of Robert F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, and Ben Affleck, which Pritzker graduated from in 1982.
It includes three black and white photos of a young JB Pritzker with a classmate named Phil Robertson (we assume a different Phil Robertson than the Duck Dynasty guy), an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote, and a long list of random statements that have no explanation to their meaning.
In his post, Bailey pulled two of the lines from the page.
“What exactly did you mean by “funny things on your knees” and “drugged for drugs,” the post asks.
The Bailey campaign did not respond to requests for comment, but numerous political observers believe Bailey is insinuating Pritzker is, or was, gay.
“This is disgusting,” one top Democratic operative not involved with the Pritzker campaign said, “This isn’t just a dog whistle, it’s a giant “Bat Signal” for Bailey’s core of racist, sexist, homophobic supporters.”
Sources say Bailey spoke at a political event in McHenry County Monday and hinted the post was about Pritzker’s sexuality, though, we’re told, didn’t elaborate.
“I don’t know what they’re hoping to accomplish. It’s so weird,” said one top Republican insider. “If it’s July and he’s resorted to calling Pritzker gay, even with a wink and a nod, we’re going to see this thing get ugly and dark between now and November.
Pritzker has been married to his wife, MK, since 1993 and has two children.
The Pritzker campaign declined to comment past a social media post Monday mocking Bailey’s post.
“This was a great year. Thanks for the reminder, Darren,” the Pritzker campaign wrote.
