By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said he believes some in the GOP have lost faith in Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner after he told them and other pro-lifers he would veto a bill to fund abortions before he signed it.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Barickman on WJBC.

“In our house, that’s a lie,” Barickman said. “You certainly don’t want to do that to the public, to (Chicago) Cardinal (Blase Cupich), a representative of the Catholic church. I think his credibility really got tarnished on this.”

While he’s not sure anyone would mount a primary challenge against Rauner next year, Barickman told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin he believes Rauner’s political career took a bit. Barickman said as the 2018 campaign ramps up, it wouldn’t be helpful to have the Rauner campaign on his behalf.

“He had already been identified as one of the most – if not the most- vulnerable governor in our 50 states that was up for election next year, This issue, I think, makes him more vulnerable.”

Barickman, who is pro-life, says Rauner has to explain to conservatives why he supports public funding for abortions, even though Rauner is pro-choice. Barickman says any influence Rauner once has over Republicans in the legislature has “fallen apart.”

Even though Rauner is pro-choice, Barickman says Rauner could have vetoed the bill on financial grounds.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].