(The Center Square) – While Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker didn’t get selected to be Kamala Harris’ vice presidential candidate, he did get a primetime spot on the stage of the Democratic National Convention Tuesday.
Chicago plays host to the convention this week where an array of speakers addressed Democratic delegates. Among the speakers on the national stage was former President Barack Obama. Before that and shortly after the states’ roll call giving Harris the official nomination, Pritzker took the stage and said Democrats are for lower taxes, higher wages, less inflation and more business growth.
“We just think it’s wrong to craft those policies for Elon Musk and not for everyday working people,” Pritzker said.
The second term governor criticized former President Donald Trump while extolling Harris.
“We have a choice America between the man who left our country a total mess and the woman who has spent four years cleaning it up,” Pritzker said.
Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement Pritzker has failed Illinois as governor and allowed the state to be overrun by “illegal border-crossers, out of control crime, and billions of dollars in new taxes.”
As a result, Salvi said Illinois is in slow decay with residents and businesses leaving a high tax burden.
“Businesses are taking flight leaving and Illinois’ citizens and taxpayers are left paying the check,” Salvi said. “As Pritzker soft-launches his campaign for president, Illinois families are hurting, and Pritzker doesn’t care – our state is just another stepping stone for him to advance his ambition while we are saddled with the heavy effect of his administration’s failed policies. One thing is clear from Pritzker’s prime-time speaking slot – the only way our state will have actual representation is by voting Republican in November.”
Earlier in the day, state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, told The Center Square that while Pritzker wasn’t picked to be Harris’ running mate, it should be the honor of his lifetime to have been considered. West said it shows he’s doing the work that resonates with what national Democrats wanted and there could be a future for him down the line.
“If he so desires, depending on everything that goes down, yeah, he could run for federal office if he so desires, but for now I’m still glad he’s our governor,” West said.
The convention continues Wednesday and wraps up Thursday.