By Illinois Radio Network
CHICAGO – The Republican candidates for governor in Illinois used their only joint appearance so far to talk about jobs, taxes and social issues. But they never really answered the larger question: Who’ll be able to get things done as governor?
Gov. Bruce Rauner and conservative challenger Jeanne Ives both had a lot say about Illinois’ highest in the nation property taxes, the state’s dismal economy, and the exodus of people from the state.
But they both skirted the question from the Chicago Tribune editorial board about how they’d get things done in Springfield, especially since Rauner has three years in office. He said that he’s laid the groundwork.
“It’s not about style,” Rauner said. “It’s about persistence and staying strong. Not giving in, not backing down.”
But Ives said Rauner hasn’t done much.
“Elections are a referendum on things that have gotten done in the past.” Ives, a state representative from Wheaton, said. “Governor Rauner can’t pretend to run on 2014 all over again.”
The Tribune editors also pushed Ives on how she’d be more successful getting tax reform or right to work through the Democratically-controlled Illinois legislature. Ives said she would work with Democrats when she could, and around them when she needed to.
The joint appearance got testy when the Tribune editors allowed Ives to talk about conservatives’ frustration with the governor over his signing of House Bill 40, which has Illinois taxpayers picking up the cost of some elective abortions in the state.
“That’s why nobody trusts him,” Ives said. “He violated a strong tenet of our party. Then he lied about what he was going to do about it.”
The governor said over and over that he “supports a woman’s right to choose,” but he did not answer the Tribune’s question about whether or not he “lied.”
Rauner argued he is the only Republican who can beat Democrat frontrunner J.B. Pritzker in November, saying that House Speaker Michael Madigan “is cheering” for Ives to win the primary.
Ives said the March primary is not a choice about who has a better chance in November, but rather a referendum on what Rauner accomplished in his first term.
“It’s embarrassing at this point,” Ives said. “He’s basically disqualified himself from re-election. He’s gotten nothing done. This election should be a referendum on what he’s done. He’s 0-44.”
Monday’s joint appearance was likely the only time voters will see the two candidates in the same room, answering the same questions. They have been unable to come to terms on debating across the state.
