Bailey Campaign Distances Itself from Supporter Arrested for Capitol Insurrection
Lawrence Ligas of Chicago seen in a federal court filing in connection with the U.S. Capitol insurrection in January. Ligas has been a visible supporter of Sen. Darren Bailey’s (R-Xenia) campaign for governor. The campaign attempted to distance itself from Ligas Wednesday following his arrest.
An outspoken and connected supporter of Republican Sen. Darren Bailey’s (R-Xenia) campaign for governor has been arrested and charged with playing a role in the U.S. Capitol insurrection January 6.
62-year-old Lawrence Ligas was arrested Wednesday.
Sources have indicated the Bailey campaign considers Ligas a “point man” in its city and suburban campaign efforts.
More on the criminal aspect from the Sun-Times:
Larry Ligas, 62, was arrested in Chicago Wednesday morning. He is charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
The charges are misdemeanors.
A 12-page criminal complaint alleges that Ligas spent eight minutes wandering around the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 6, and that a tipster reached out to tell the feds Ligas had been quoted by name in a National Public Radio article about the breach.
“We’re not moving on… We are not Republicans. We are the MAGA party. We are patriots,” Ligas is quoted as saying. He also said he was a Democrat before then-President Donald Trump “earned” his vote, according to the article.
Ligas is a longtime political activist in Logan Square with a history of complaining about street gangs and their interference in city politics. A federal magistrate judge ordered his release on his own recognizance during a court hearing Wednesday.
Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) and Lawrence Ligas in a photo on Bailey’s campaign Facebook page. Ligas was charged Wednesday for playing a role in the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Ligas has been connected with Bailey’s campaign, appearing with the southern Illinois lawmaker at events in Chicago. Ligas was listed as a contact for a recent fundraiser for Bailey, and has posed for numerous pictures with the candidate.
It does not appear, according to campaign finance records, that Ligas is a paid member of Bailey’s campaign staff. Bailey’s spokesman would not clarify Ligas’ role with the campaign, only saying he has never been a member of the campaign staff, though numerous volunteers and supporters often have the ear of a candidate.
The campaign issued a statement saying they “do not condone” illegal activities, but failed to condemn Ligas or confirm the campaign was breaking ties with the longtime Logan Square activist.
“We're shocked by this news and we do not condone any illegal activities. He has never been a member of our campaign staff,” the statement read. “We support law and order and trust the court system to ensure anyone breaking the law is held accountable for their actions."
Bailey is considered by many to be the frontrunner of the current GOP field for governor, and state Democrats were quick to jump on him.
“When it comes to the traitors of January 6, there must be no equivocation: Darren Bailey must immediately denounce Mr. Ligas and revoke any and all association with him at once,” Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt said in a statement. “The governor’s office is no place for associates of traitors to this great nation.”
One Republican operative openly mused to The Illinoize Wednesday having a participant in the January 6 pro-Trump riots could potentially help Bailey downstate.
“Trump loving primary voters will eat that [stuff] up,” the operative said.
