Prairie State Wire

The State Journal Register recently endorsed Gov. Bruce Rauner in the upcoming general election.

While the publication notes in the Oct. 19 editorial that Rauner’s first term hasn’t been perfect, they called him “the best candidate to push for the reforms Illinois needs.” 

“This is a race where we wish there were other options,” the State Journal Register editorial board states. “It comes down to this: Illinois residents need a governor who will work to stop the longtime Statehouse tradition of spending more than the state takes in. We need a strong advocate for the structural changes that are necessary to put Illinois on a better trajectory, and who doesn’t immediately turn to increasing taxes as the way to accomplish that.”

J.B. Pritzker

The State Journal Register said in the editorial that Rauner’s Democratic challenger J.B. Pritzker hasn’t been forthcoming on the details of his plans if he becomes governor.

“What voters have largely heard Pritzker focus on is new ways to spend money the state doesn’t have,” the editorial states. “If his are ideas worth pursuing, he should explain the cost — which is likely in the billions — and document the long-term benefits that would accompany them. But he’s asking voters to blindly trust him.”

Regarding Rauner’s other challengers, the editorial said Libertarian Grayson “Kash” Jackson doesn’t know enough about how the state government works and Conservative Party candidate Sam McCann “comes with too many questions about management of both his personal and campaign funds.”

The editorial points out that Rauner has promised to be a better listener and accept incremental changes on his priorities 

“Is giving him another term worth the risk that accompanies it?” the editorial states. “Given who he is running against, we reluctantly say yes.”