By John Dempsey, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO) Wheaton Republican State Representative Jeanne Ives is confirming that she is challenging incumbent Republican Bruce Rauner in the March 2018 primary election.   Ives told “The Big John and Ramblin’ Ray Show” on WLS that Rauner betrayed conservatives and taxpayers in general when he signed House Bill 40, which paved the way for taxpayer-funded abortions.

“Bruce Rauner is a failed and ineffective Governor, and he has betrayed our party, what we stand for and more importantly he’s betrayed everybody who he said that he was going to put in reforms and he didn’t do anything.   So, he needs to be challenged”, said Ives.

Last week the conservative magazine “The National Review” had a front page story on Rauner in which it called him the nation’s worst Republican Governor.    Ives referred to the billionaire businessman, as “an empty Carhartt jacket.”

Anyone challenging Rauner has to find a way to raise enough money to compete with Rauner’s deep pockets.   The former venture capitalist has $66 million in his campaign fund, but Ives told WLS she will not let money dissuade her.

​”There’s no amount of money that Bruce Rauner can spend to buy back his credibility after betrayal.   So we need a threshold amount of money.   We’re not discounting that.   But I’ll tell you what.  You know, you talk about a field organization.  The people, the grass roots, the Republicans in this state have submitted nearly 16-thousand signatures in a matter of four weeks for my candidacy.  That is a huge movement in this state.”

Rauner formally announced his re-election bid in late October.    Reacting to criticism from conservatives on the abortion issue, Rauner told WLS in October, “Well you know, reasonable people can reasonably disagree.  I’m pro-choice.  I respect those who are pro-life very passionately and I’ve supported many many pro-life people and candidates.  Reasonable people can reasonably disagree.  As Ronald Reagan said, we’re a big tent.  As Ronald Reagan said, we don’t speak ill of our fellow Republicans.”

@ 2017 WLS-AM News