Prairie State Wire

Gov. Bruce Rauner was recently featured on the cover of the conservative magazine National Review, but the coverage wasn’t flattering.

The magazine's story focused on the controversy surrounding Rauner, some of his unpopular legislative decisions this year and those who could unseat him, according to a press release from Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), who is challenging Rauner in a bid for governor.

“Republicans understand that Governor Rauner is unelectable,” Ives said in the release. “He betrayed his party’s values. He broke promises. And lied about his intentions, most notably on a bill that forces taxpayer funding of abortion on demand."

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton)

That bill, HB 40, expands abortion coverage for women who have Medicaid or state employee insurance.

The National Review article cited in the release also described Ives’ rise to prominence as a challenger for Rauner in next year’s election.

"Now Jeanne Ives intends to stop his reelection … she looks like the kind of pro-life conservative who can beat a pro-choice incumbent in a Republican primary,” the article stated, according to the release.

In the release, Ives lamented what she calls the lost opportunity Rauner represents for conservatives.

“Over the summer, we watch(ed) him publicly withdraw from the budget debate,” she said. “A three-year stand-off that shut down social services was ended in a massive tax hike. He participated in crony corporate bailouts. He increased borrowing, spending and healthcare premiums. The governor’s office is powerful, but the man in it is weak.”