It seems there’s a pretty good reason why the public at large never got to see any Rep. Jeanne Ives vs. Gov. Bruce Rauner debates prior to Election Day.
The consensus among many is Ives (R-Wheaton) so thoroughly outperformed Rauner in a debate before the Chicago Tribune editorial board back in January that it left the National Review urging every voter that would listen to cast their ballot in her favor in the Republican primary.
As for further motivation, National Review editors insist Rauner has relinquished the right to even call himself a conservative and “has forfeited any claim on his party’s nod” given the way he has governed during his first term in Springfield.
Following the Tribune episode, for the rest of the campaign Rauner largely steered clear of Ives, and absolutely refused to debate her again in any forum.
“She crushed it and she crushed him and it wasn’t pretty,” the National Review noted. “Jeanne Ives crushed it so hard, way up into the upper deck, Rauner’s reelection dreams bouncing up there all alone, echoing desperately, and all the governor seemed to be able to say was “Mike Madigan” again and again. How many times did he say Mike Madigan? You couldn’t keep count.”
Polls open early Tuesday morning.
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