Prairie State Wire

The national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) has endorsed state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) in her Republican primary run to unseat Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.

In announcing its support for Ives, the group cited Rauner’s signing of House Bill 40, which authorized taxpayer funding of abortion through the state’s Medicaid program, into law soon after he vowed to oppose the bill.

“We are proud to endorse Jeanne Ives, an utterly fearless champion of unborn children and their mothers,” SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a press release. “Jeanne is passionately dedicated to fighting for taxpayers and standing up to the extreme abortion lobby. She will lead with courage and integrity.”

Marjorie Dannenfelser

Jill Stanek, SBA List’s national campaign chair, also voiced her support for Ives. 

“Governor Rauner’s outrageous betrayal of his pro-life constituents will have political consequences,” she added in the release. “When Rauner flip-flopped on forcing taxpayers to fund abortion on demand, he condemned as many as 3,800 innocent unborn children with the stroke of a pen. The choice before the voters is stark. Illinois families can’t afford another disastrous four years of Bruce Rauner.”

Ives graciously accepted the organization’s support.

“I am honored to be endorsed by Susan B. Anthony List,” she added in the release. “Illinoisans’ trust in the governor’s office to protect vulnerable lives has been shattered. I look forward to restoring principled pro-life leadership in Springfield.”

The 52-year-old Ives has served in the Illinois legislator since 2012 and is known as a fiscal conservative. A West Point grad who served in the Army, she resides in Wheaton with her husband, Paul, and their five children.