Rep. Jeanne Ives (center)and David McSweeney (2nd right) discuss pensions on WTTW show
BARRINGTON – State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington) says Governor Bruce Rauner is a "failed governor" that admits he's not in charge. For that reason and others, McSweeney stepped forward endorsing Rauner's GOP primary challenger State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton).
"I support Jeanne Ives, a West Point graduate," McSweeney said in a statement. "Jeanne is a courageous conservative who will fight for lower taxes and real reform."
McSweeney said Rauner, who was dubbed by National Review as the "Worst Republican Governor in America," is a failed governor that admits he's not in charge. Under Governor Rauner, Illinois has become a sanctuary state, there has been a 32% increase in the income tax rate, state spending has exploded and taxpayers are now required to pay for abortions without limitations.
"It's time we elect a real conservative that will take charge," McSweeney said.
McSweeney also raised concerns about how the Governor handled the budget crisis. He pointed to comments made last week in the News Gazette in which retiring State Rep. Chad Hays (R-Catlin) pointed to the Governor's actions surrounding vetoing the budget that demanded a 32% income tax hike.
Things just didn't add up, Hayes said in the interview.
"Why would he veto the bill so quickly? (The House passed the tax and spending plan on July 2, Rauner vetoed it on July 4, and the House overrode the vetoes on July 6)," Hayes said. "He had 45 days. Because he didn't want the Legislature leaving town without overriding a veto. He needed a budget too. When he got a budget and he didn't have to touch it and he was able to blast it (in campaign rhetoric) until the next election, he fell out of the political lucky tree and hit every branch on the way down."
McSweeney agreed with Hayes.
"Governor Rauner showed his true colors by opposing the recently passed federal tax cut bill. It makes sense that Rauner opposes cutting federal taxes because he spent his first few years as Governor begging the General Assembly to raise the income tax by 32 percent under the guises of the 'Grand Bargain' and the "Capitol Compromise,'" McSweeney told Illinois Review.
"Governor Rauner calls himself a Republican, but has such animus for President Trump that he won't even say the President's name and won't tell the people of Illinois who he voted for in the Presidential election in 2016. Sadly, Bruce Rauner hasn't shaken up Springfield. Instead,he's become a key leader of the Springfield insider club that supports higher taxes and more spending.
"Unlike Bruce Rauner, Jeanne Ives will be in charge," he said.
Thus far, only House Republican colleague Tom Morrison has donated to Ives' campaign coffers, showing his support for her candidacy.
