Gov. JB Pritzker, challenger Darren Bailey square off for heated first debate

NORMAL, Ill. (CBS) — Thirty-three days remain until the Illinois gubernatorial elections, and Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and his Republican opponent, Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey, faced off on Thursday night.

At the debate at Braden Auditorium at Illinois State University, the candidates sparred on crime, abortion, taxes, and other issues. As CBS 2’s Marissa Perlman reported, we heard name-calling and we heard the word “liar” a lot during the debate.

It was all reflective of the harshly critical campaign we have seen Pritzker and Bailey carry on for months.

As to topics for attacks, nothing was off the table.

The first line of questioning by debate moderators was the Safe-T Act, which has drawn controversy and confusion in particular because of its bail reform provisions. Pritzker accused Bailey of voting against funding programs that would help prevent crime – such as increasing the number of Illinois State Police, building crime labs, and funding violence prevention programs.

Bailey said the Safe-T Act must be repealed, and said it “lets violent offenders out of jail before trial.” He claimed that Pritzker could have proposed bail reform for nonviolent criminals, but said that is not what the Safe-T Act is.

Meanwhile, abortion may be the most divisive topic this campaign season. We talked to students in Bloomington – some of them first-time voters – and they wanted to hear the candidates about an abortion ban.

Pritzker emphasized that he supports abortion rights and plans to maintain them.

“I think the law we have in place, which we signed into place, that protects a woman’s right to choose is what we should keep in place,” Pritzker said.

Bailey seemed to suggest he would not have the power to change abortion laws in Illinois if he became governor.

“Illinois has the most permissive abortion law in the nation,” he said. “Nothing is going to change when I’m governor. I couldn’t change them if I could.”

That is not exactly true for Bailey. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, governors in many red states have been setting up their own abortion restrictions.

Meantime, Bailey put the governor on the spot, asking whether he is seeking higher office. Pritzker said he plans to serve his full term and get reelected, and to support President Joe Biden’s bid for reelection.

Pritzker took a few questions after the debate. Bailey did not.

Pritzker was asked whether he would run for president as he was walking out of the auditorium. He declined to answer.

North Central College political expert Stephen Caliendo expected before ethe debate that the spatting would continue in this debate.

“It’s a partisan atmosphere. It’s an ideologically divisive atmosphere in our country right now. But remember, getting out the vote is the most important thing,” Caliendo said. “It’s not necessarily convincing people to vote for one or the other, but can you can get energized to make sure to go to the ballot?”

The debate was a collaboration between AARP and ISU, and the majority of tickets went to students and voters over 50. Thus, people from two powerful voting blocs were able to submit questions and hear from the candidates in person ahead of the Nov.  8 election.

This is one of two matchups between the candidates. They will face off again on Oct. 18.