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Pritzker Apologizes For Comments On Race

WGLT | By AP

Published February 6, 2018 at 4:22 PM CST

Democratic candidate for governor JB Pritzker during a campaign stop in Bloomington in 2017.

Democratic Illinois governor candidate J.B. Pritzker apologized Tuesday for racially insensitive comments captured on a FBI wiretap between him and then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Pritzker said he regrets portions of the conversations recorded during a decade-old investigation of Blagojevich, who's now imprisoned for corruption. Pritzker is heard suggesting Blagojevich appoint Secretary of State Jesse White, calling him the "least offensive" African-American.

White, who's supported Pritzker's candidacy, stood beside the billionaire businessman during Tuesday's news conference. Other black lawmakers joined them.

Pritzker's opponents in the March 20 primary condemned the comments. State Sen. Daniel Biss said the conversation is "racially insensitive at best and at worst reveals an attitude that is disrespectful to African Americans."

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