Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s opponent in the GOP primary says that, if he wins in the spring, he’ll lose in the fall -- and he'll be to blame.
In a meet-and-greet at a DeKalb restaurant, State Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, told the audience that venture capitalist Bruce Rauner would have fired Governor Rauner for inept leadership. She also said Rauner’s signing of an abortion-funding bill was a betrayal that called his character into question.
On her website, Ives endorses a call for Rauner to resign by Rockford-area State Rep. John Cabello. Asked if such attacks might weaken Rauner as a candidate in the fall, Ives says they won’t be the reason he loses.
“The truth is, is that any damage that was done to Gov. Rauner’s candidacy was done by he himself. He is the one who has divided the Republican Party,” Ives said.
Ives still trails Rauner by a wide margin in the polls and in campaign funds. But she says she’s gaining on him on all fronts and believes she can win.
Ives also responded to an outcry over a scheduled speaker at a fundraising event for her.
Ives canceled a speech by keynote speaker Bill Whittle at a fundraiser in McHenry County when racist comments he had made came to light. Ives says she didn’t know Whittle. He was the guest of the man hosting the event.
“When we found out that he had made remarks that I absolutely oppose and don’t agree with, we basically said you need to dis-invite him, and we will carry on with the event,” Ives said.
Ives says that, try as she might, her campaign can’t be held responsible for every remark a supporter might have made in the past.