LIBERTYVILLE - Fremont Township Republican Organization's committeemen unanimously rejected GOP Governor Bruce Rauner and endorsed his conservative challenger, State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) in the upcoming GOP primary gubernatorial race. The group is angry with the way the Republican base has been "ridiculed culturally, consigned to the fringe, and betrayed" by Governor Rauner.
“The Republican Committeemen of Fremont Township voted unanimously to endorse Representative Jeanne Ives for governor of Illinois,” said Fremont Township Republican Organization Chairman Glenn Garamoni. “Governor Rauner turned his back on the campaign promise of conservative reforms with no social agenda. After three years, the families and businesses of Fremont Township have experienced no financial relief, and practically no improvement in the 'state of the State.'
The endorsement is the first official indication of the Illinois Republican Party rank and file's dissatisfaction with Rauner.
Garamoni said, "Conservative families comprising the Republican base have been ridiculed culturally, consigned to the fringe, and betrayed by Governor Rauner on issues that are critical to our platform – most notably, on his decision to sign into law taxpayer-funding of abortion on demand. The governor has offered only token and mostly inconsequential reforms to reverse the steep decline of Illinois: culturally, morally, and financially. He is no longer trusted by the base of his party, and cannot win the 2018 election without the unified, enthusiastic support of Illinois Republicans.
“As a State Representative, Jeanne Ives consistently stood up for the interests of families and business – even in the face of powerful opposition, ridicule and threats of violence. She has kept the promise that she made to her constituents, to be a ‘lobbyist for the taxpayer.’ We would like to see her integrity and commitment replicated at all levels of government. We are confident that Ives has the good character that we look for in a leader, and the policy insight and political will to lead the charge in Springfield, for a better Illinois.”
Ives said, “I am proud to receive the endorsement of The Fremont Township Republican Organization. The organization represents the grassroots of the Republican Party. Their endorsement highlights how critical the relationship between state and local government will be in solving our state’s most urgent problems. Their support is tremendously important to our campaign’s fight to deliver the conservative reform agenda that Governor Rauner promised, but deserted in favor of the agenda of Chicago Democrats.”
