When Helping Bailey Hurts Bailey
Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), the GOP nominee for Governor, has attempted to avoid social issues in recent weeks. But a new ad from a PAC supporting him opens up a new can of worms.
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OPINION
The last thing Darren Bailey’s lagging campaign needs is more conversation about social issues.
Bailey has been portrayed as out of touch on abortion and has the Pritzker campaign constantly reinforcing a message that the southern Illinois farmer has “racist, sexist, homophobic and hateful views.”
The last thing the Bailey camp needs now is another avenue opened up on social issues.
Enter radio host Dan Proft’s PAC.
The PAC, funded by billionaire Richard Uihlein, and, essentially running Bailey’s paid ads, released a new ad focused on abortion. It’s another in a long line of steps where Proft and his PAC can’t stay on a message that helps their candidate.
After the group released a jarring ad on crime, it had the opportunity to continue to push the direction toward crime and public safety, issues that traditionally do better for Republicans, including potentially this year.
But Proft’s crew can’t help themselves. It drives a narrative that Bailey loses on every time.
The next thing you know, we'll get another Ives-esque trans hater spot.
This entire campaign has been a failure in staying on message.