Illinois Democrats Take Aim At J.B. Pritzker Over Blagojevich Controversy

After last week’s bombshell report that billionaire Democrat candidate for Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker actively sought political office from disgraced former governor and convicted felon Rod Blagojevich, his Democrat primary opponents are already slamming him for it. Chris Kennedy, one of Pritzker’s primary rivals, took aim at Pritzker for what he called “completely sick behavior,” claiming he doesn’t “deserve” to be governor after the FBI recordings were revealed. Daniel Biss, another primary opponent of Pritzker’s also took aim at him last week, with his campaign manager calling his behavior “part of a disturbing pattern.” With his Democrat rivals hurling attacks for his highly inappropriate conversations with Blagojevich, it appears this issue is not going away anytime soon for J.B. Pritzker, as the controversy threatens to further divide Illinois Democrats in an already contentious primary fight.

The Chicago Tribune reports:

“Democratic governor hopeful Chris Kennedy on Sunday said J.B. Pritzker doesn’t “deserve” to hold the state’s highest office, citing comments his opponent made to then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich during phone conversations recorded by federal agents in 2008.

‘See, a guy like J.B. Pritzker, they catch him on tape and he’s talking about maybe swapping money for an appointment with Gov. Blagojevich and he’s using insider language, he’s using code words like, ‘I hear ya, I hear ya,’’ Kennedy said.

‘I mean, anybody who’s ever watched ‘Goodfellas’ or one of those mob movies knows that they’re not going to come out and say, ‘If you give me this, I’ll give you that.’ They use code language and that’s part of it,’’ he said.’”