Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Chicago, IL – One week ago, Bruce Rauner barely made it out of a brutal primary against an insurgent challenger. After squeaking away with just a three-point win, the failed governor faces an uphill battle to keep his campaign and party from falling apart. Let’s take a look:

• CLOSE CALL: Three years of failure crept up on Bruce Rauner. After nearly being defeated by Jeanne Ives in the primary, political observers are wondering: Is Rauner toast?

• ZERO UNITY: Rauner’s Republican Party is in shambles after Jeanne Ives refused to endorse or even talk to Bruce Rauner. The infighting continues to divide the party and prevent any semblance of unity.

• FORCED PARTICIPATION: The campaign trail is a tough place to be if you’re a failed governor. At one Rauner campaign stop, “one plant worker said employees had been ordered to attend, and were made aware that they’d be part of campaign photos and videos.”

• UNDERWATER POLL: Rauner is 30 points underwater in favorability and trails in a general election matchup by 18 points.

• RATINGS CHANGES: Two national analysts downgraded Rauner’s chances of being re-elected, with Roll Call and Sabato’s Crystal Ball moving the Illinois governor’s race to “Leans Democratic.”

“Bruce Rauner is the worst governor in America, and his three years of failure caught up with him last Tuesday,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “While this failed governor still reels from a close call and vicious party infighting, JB Pritzker has united Democrats and is ready to beat Bruce Rauner and win up and down the ticket in November.”

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