Prairie State Wire

State Senator Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) applauds legislation being introduced in Texas to ban drag shows in the presence of minors. 

Bailey, who is running in the Illinois gubernatorial race, prioritizes children in his campaign — both for their education and the rights of the unborn — also is fighting for their protection from abuse.

"A Dallas nightclub’s 'Drag the kids to pride' was aptly named as parents literally dragged their kids to participate in this perverted show," he said. "The kids had no interest in the event and why would they? Why would anyone want to willingly allow themselves to be sexually abused? And rest assured what happened there is sexual abuse. Kids have no business in adult nightclubs and have no business being props in highly sexualized drag shows. Legislation in Texas is being introduced to ban drag shows in the presence of minors. We need similar legislation in Illinois. This is not a partisan issue. This is about protecting kids from being abused."

Bailey, a well-known conservative Republican, has stated that families in Illinois are his first focus. He is a third-generation farmer who was born and reared in Louisville. He grew up on the Bailey Family Farm, now owned and operated by him and his sons, where they grow corn, wheat, and soybeans. 

“Today, there is a political class that is ignoring our values and harming American families. Illinois needs a leader that is one of us,” Bailey said in a campaign release.

Texas State Representative Bryan Slaton has announced he will file legislation to ban drag shows in the state in the presence of minors. Slaton noted he filed the legislation after news stories emerged regarding kids being subjected to "inappropriate sexual content." 

"I promised my voters that I would stand up for their values and fight to protect Texas kids," Slaton said in a release. "I was re-elected on that promise and I intend to keep it by authoring legislation to defend kids from being subjected to drag shows and other inappropriate events. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation.” 

Bailey's opponents in the June 28 primary are tech entrepreneur Jesse Sullivan, McHenry County businessman Gary Rabine, former state senator Paul Schimpf, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, and Max Solomon.