CONTACT:
Allison Janowski
[email protected]
Chicago, IL — Tonight, the Illinois GOP will roll out the red carpet for MAGA extremist John Kennedy of Louisiana at their 2024 “Bank Your Vote” Gala.
Senator Kennedy has come under fire for offensive rhetoric about minorities and women, including his colleagues in Congress and the Vice President saying “the vice president needs to work on being a little more articulate,” and referring to female members of congress as “whack jobs.” Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary referred to Kennedy as “a profoundly ignorant man,” for racist comments he made about Mexicans, and Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Esteban Moctezuma called his comments “vulgar and racist.”
“Senator Kennedy has demonstrated a pattern of disrespect and vitriol toward women, minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community, and the IL GOP is celebrating him as a ‘strong advocate for conservative principles.’ The senator should spend more time advocating for his own constituents rather than lecturing Illinois Democrats,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez. “At this gala, the IL GOP will be platforming a man whose values contradict everything we stand for in Illinois. In inviting John Kennedy to serve as the face of their primary fundraising event, the IL GOP is sending a clear message to voters that this is the extremism they want to see on the ballot this year. Illinois Republicans’ descent into extremism has repeatedly proved to be a failed experiment, but they remain committed to folding to their most radical members.”
“It is shocking that the IL GOP would promote the kind of vile racism and misogyny that Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) spouts,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Kennedy is a walking mouthpiece for the most despicable and extreme parts of the MAGA movement. It’s sad to see the IL GOP stoop this low.”
“Senator Kennedy has publicly and repeatedly demeaned our public officials including the Vice President and sitting members of congress with racist and misogynistic rhetoric that has no place in Illinois. It is shameful that the IL GOP would offer him a platform at their gala, and another example of their party’s descent into MAGA extremism,” said Congresswoman Delia Ramirez.
“Senator John Kennedy represents the most extreme view on reproductive freedom: that seeking abortion care should be criminalized and punished. He has taken vote after vote, restricting access to reproductive care and putting countless women and pregnant people in danger by preventing them from accessing necessary healthcare. Personal PAC is a non-partisan organization that works with pro-choice leaders of all kinds, but by platforming Senator John Kennedy, the Illinois GOP is showing their true colors,” said Personal PAC President & CEO Sarah Garza Resnick.
Louisiana had the second highest rate of firearm deaths in the country and ranked 49th in the country for child wellbeing and business, yet the IL GOP wants to see Illinois remade in the image of Louisiana. Kennedy has also been a proud supporter of some of the most restrictive anti-choice policies in the nation, saying the overturning of Roe v. Wade corrected a “legal and moral error.”
###
