Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy walked offstage on Monday at a forum on gun violence after comments made by State Representative and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives. According to NBC5, Ives had said that the problem with gun violence in Chicago would be solved by “fathers in the home.” Before walking off, Kennedy responded by saying “I wish I could agree with you. I didn’t have a father in my life. He was shot.” Kennedy received a standing ovation from the audience, and Ives was later panned on social media for the racially charged remarks. While a spokesperson for Ives said she “meant no offense,” Kennedy took to Twitter later to criticize her again, calling her remark, “simplistic and ignorant,” adding “we shouldn’t entertain simplistic solutions to tragic problems.”
