By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – It will be a billionaire businessman challenging incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner in November.
Rauner, himself a billionaire seeking a second term, narrowly defeated conservative State Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton. He praised Ives for running a principled campaign.
Rauner said he’s seeking to unite the party despite differences on immigration and abortion. He said Pritzker’s the handpicked candidate of Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.
“If he’s elected, he will give total control of our state over to the machine. If that happens, turn out the lights,” said Rauner.
Pritzker defeated a crowded field of candidates in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. Pritzker acknowledged he’s not perfect.
“Frankly, I’ve had enough people like Donald Trump, politicians like Bruce Rauner, who can never acknowledge a flaw, never offer an apology, and never take responsibility for anything or anyone under their care,” Pritzker said.
The contest to replace Attorney General Lisa Madigan will feature lawyer and former Miss America Erika Harold, who won the Republican nomination. State Senator Kwame Raoul edged out former Governor Pat Quinn for the Democratic nomination.
In the Illinois House, 105th District State Representative Dan Brady handily defeated a conservative challenge from David Paul Blumenshine, but Brady has not seen the last of his opponent.
“Illinois is our home. We’ll be back in 2020 to run another campaign, Blumenshine said. He also wants to meet with Brady before endorsing him this November against Democrat Ben Webb. Blumenshine indicated he wants Brady to agree to term limits for lawmakers, a key part of Blumenshine’s platform.
There will be a big change on the McLean County Board. Newcomer Shayna Watchinski ousted District 8 incumbent Democrat Paul Segobiano, who’s been on the board more than 40 years.
Watchinski said she and her backers worked very hard for the victory, and she said many of Segobiano’s west side constituents didn’t know who represented them.
“I know a lot of people that i would talk to, when I would go out, were not aware who their representatives were. If you had someone serving that long, you would think there would be more recognition,” Watchinski said.
On the Republican side, it was Gerald Thompson defeating Carlock Mayor Jeremiah Houston in County Board District 1.
For Congress, Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan won the right to face Republican incumbent Rodney Davis in the 13th District.
GOP Incumbents Adam Kinzinger in the 16th District and Darin LaHood in the 18th District prevailed over their primary challengers.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].
