The already dirty race for Illinois governor has become even nastier.
On Saturday, Governor Pat Quinn was joined by state Senator Rickey Hendon at a "get out the vote" event on the West Side. The senator, sometimes called "Hollywood Hendon" for his bold personality, went on to call Quinn's Republican opponent an "idiotic, racist, sexist, homophobic person."
Hendon made the remarks while introducing Quinn at the rally, and was referring to Bill Brady's socially conservative views and voting record, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
"If you think that the minimum wage needs to be three dollars an hour, vote for Bill Brady," Hendon told the crowd. "If you think that women have no rights whatsoever, except to have his children, vote for Bill Brady. If you think gay and lesbian people need to be locked up and shot in the head, vote for Bill Brady."
Quinn stood beside Hendon as he made the comments, but distanced himself from the remarks following the event.
"I thought the comments were inappropriate and said so immediately," Quinn told the Sun-Times. "I in no way endorse them."
Brady, however, called on Quinn to apologize and "renounce" Hendon, he told the Chicago Tribune.
"More than me, I think he owes the people of Illinois an apology," Brady told the Tribune. "Gov. Quinn has let this campaign stoop to a level that the people of Illinois are embarrassed by."
Hendon, who is also running for Chicago mayor, made somewhat of an apology on WLS Monday morning--after previously saying that he was just telling the truth.
"On your show right now I will apologize to the people of the state of Illinois if they were offended by what I said, but I will not apologize to Bill Brady for telling the truth about his voting record," Hendon told Cisco Cotto on WLS, according to the Capitol Fax blog.
Quinn's running mate Sheila Simon had a similar reaction, telling Fox Chicago that "it's not fair to label anyone's character with harsh language. But a candidate's policies are fair game."
"State Senator Brady has certainly voted in a way I see is inconsistent with women's rights," Simon told Fox. "He tried to sponsor legislation to roll back the human rights act in Illinois."
WATCH Fox Chicago's coverage of Hendon's comments here:
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
