Unions, groups 'all-in' Illinois governor's race

[Omaha Steve]

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140319/DACL1Q202.html

By SARA BURNETT and SOPHIA TAREEN

CHICAGO (AP) - The candidates for Illinois governor laid out their vastly different visions Wednesday on how to revive the state's lagging economy, as national labor unions and other outside groups with much riding on the outcome began making their presence felt and promised to keep doing so through the November election.

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and wealthy Republican businessman Bruce Rauner won their primary races Tuesday, setting up what's expected to be one the hardest fought and most expensive races in the nation.


Businessman Bruce Rauner, left, and his wife Diana, right, celebrate with supporters after Bruce Rauner won the Republican gubernatorial primary, defeating State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, State Sen. Kirk Dillard, and State Sen. Bill Brady, Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)


Quinn, who has made a political career as a populist and defender of the middle class, has increased taxes and pushed for raising the minimum wage. Rauner, who says the best way to help working people is to improve the business climate, wants to curtail government unions much like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker did.

Republicans see President Barack Obama's home state - one of the Midwest's last Democratic strongholds - as one of their top two opportunities to pick up a governorship, largely because of Illinois' massive financial problems. On Wednesday the Republican Governors Association donated $750,000 to Rauner's campaign, money intended to show the group is "all-in" to defeat Quinn.

FULL story at link.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. Both parties met Wednesday in Chicago following the primaries. Here's the difference:

The rethugs held a "March to Victory" meeting at the Union League (very conservative, 1%-y club).
The Democrats held a "unity meeting" at the Billy Goat.


This Rauner guy's got to be squashed and I think from what I've seen he's damned squashable. Kirk Dillard drank his milkshake in the debates. His crooked business deals are coming to light. He can't run from the idiotic statements he's made on taxes and minimum wage. He makes Mitt look like a regular guy.
Unfortunately he's got his own money and likely some of the Koch bros'.