GOP Newcomer Rauner To Face Quinn In Fall
From the Wall Street Journal
Republican newcomer Bruce Rauner held off a crowded primary field Tuesday and will challenge Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn this fall in a race predicted to be the GOP's best chance to topple a Democratic governor.
Mr. Rauner, a former private-equity executive who pumped millions of his own money into the race, defeated state Sens. Kirk Dillard and Bill Brady and state treasurer Dan Rutherford. Mr. Quinn overwhelmingly bested challenger Tio Hardiman.
Largely unknown until last year, Mr. Rauner became the Republican front-runner, with polls showing him with a double-digit lead ahead of Tuesday's vote. The primary, however, was closer than expected, with Mr. Rauner capturing 40% of the vote to Mr. Dillard's 37.5%, with 97% of precincts reporting.
Mr. Rauner campaigned as an outsider who could turn around the state's fiscal problems, while largely avoiding social issues. He also is funding a campaign to institute term limits for legislators on the fall ballot.
"People are so unhappy with the way things are going in Illinois. That message strikes a chord," said David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Wall Street Journal
Republican newcomer Bruce Rauner held off a crowded primary field Tuesday and will challenge Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn this fall in a race predicted to be the GOP's best chance to topple a Democratic governor.
Mr. Rauner, a former private-equity executive who pumped millions of his own money into the race, defeated state Sens. Kirk Dillard and Bill Brady and state treasurer Dan Rutherford. Mr. Quinn overwhelmingly bested challenger Tio Hardiman.
Largely unknown until last year, Mr. Rauner became the Republican front-runner, with polls showing him with a double-digit lead ahead of Tuesday's vote. The primary, however, was closer than expected, with Mr. Rauner capturing 40% of the vote to Mr. Dillard's 37.5%, with 97% of precincts reporting.
Mr. Rauner campaigned as an outsider who could turn around the state's fiscal problems, while largely avoiding social issues. He also is funding a campaign to institute term limits for legislators on the fall ballot.
"People are so unhappy with the way things are going in Illinois. That message strikes a chord," said David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University.
Read more in our daily News Update...