MOKENA - The state's leading conservative family political action committee - Illinois Family Action - surprised few when they picked challenger State Rep. Jeanne Ives in the March 20th GOP primary over incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner.
"The premier contest in Illinois this spring is in the Republican gubernatorial primary, where West Point graduate, mother of five and economic and social conservative Jeanne Ives takes on the incumbent governor who has signed too many Leftist inspired bills and failed to lead on the state budget. IFA enthusiastically endorses Jeanne Ives for Governor," the website says.
And while IFA chose not to endorse in any of the other statewide races, they made picks in several controversial GOP primary legislative races.
In the 92nd GOP House race, IFA rejected Minority Leader Jim Durkin and sided with Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub. In the 54th Senate race among several candidates, IFA chose conservative Jason Plummer, who recently also obtained pro-life leader former State Rep. Penny Pullen's endorsement. They also picked former state lawmaker Dwight Kay in the 112th House race over incumbent Republican state Rep. Katie Stuart.
IFA also mentioned two federal races - one in which Republican incumbent Congressman Adam Kinzinger is being challenged. IFA picked challenger James Marter over Kinzinger in the 16th CD race. They also confirmed their support for Congressman Darin LaHood in the 18th CD.
More on their reasons for endorsing may be found HERE.
The list of endorsed candidates include:
Illinois Statewide Races:
Governor – Jeanne Ives
Illinois General Assembly Races:
State Senate Dist. 54 – Jason Plummer
State Rep. Dist. 42 – Amy Grant
State Rep. Dist. 46 – Jay Kinzler
State Rep. Dist. 49 – Tonia Khouri
State Rep. Dist. 62 – Ken Idstein
State Rep. Dist. 82 – Mickey Straub
State Rep. Dist. 89 – Andrew Chesney
State Rep. Dist. 93 – Joshua Griffith
State Rep. Dist. 100 – Jonas Petty
State Rep. Dist. 107 – Blaine Wilhour
State Rep. Dist. 108 – Don Moore
State Rep. Dist. 109 – Darren Bailey
State Rep. Dist. 110 – Chris Miller
State Rep. Dist. 111 – Mike Babcock
State Rep. Dist. 112 – Dwight Kay
State Rep. Dist. 115 – Paul Jacobs
State Rep. Dist. 118 – Samuel Stratemeyer
Federal Races:
U.S. House Dist. 16 – James Marter
U.S. House Dist. 18 – Darin LaHood
