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Video Makes It Official: Rauner Running For Re-Election

Carleigh Gray
/
WGLT
Gov. Bruce Rauner during his Route 66 motorcycle stop in Lexington on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2017.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has made his long awaited announcement that he is seeking re-election.

The first-term Republican issued a video Monday morning that features him riding his motorcycle through Illinois. It focuses on the agenda he has pushed since taking office, including property tax relief.

In the video, he talks about battles waged with the General Assembly, adding that that he has won some and lost some.

"Now we have a choice. We can throw in the towel and walk away and leave our future to the same corrupt career politicians, or we can fight," Rauner said in the video. "I choose to fight."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nNT-WeQeMI

Rauner's announcement has been anticipated, and most observers expected he would run again, having already donated $50 million to his campaign.

The 2018  governor's race is on pace to be the most expensive in U.S. history. JB Pritzker, one of the world's richest people, is among several Democrats trying to defeat Rauner. Both Rauner and Pritzker have been airing TV ads more than a year before Election Day.

Combined, all of the candidates have raised more than $100 million in the past year. Most of that comes from Rauner and Pritzker's own money.

Political Data Director Colin Williams said the contest "absolutely" could surpass the most expensive governor's race, a record set in California in 2010. Candidates in that race spent a combined $280 million.

WGLT depends on financial support from users to bring you stories and interviews like this one. As someone who values experienced, knowledgeable, and award-winning journalists covering meaningful stories in central Illinois, please consider making a contribution.

Sean has led the NPR Illinois news operations since the fall of 2009.
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