Gov. Rauner won't endorse Trump

Friday, May 6, 2016
Rauner won't endorse Trump
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said he will not endorse GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Donald Trump's bid for the White House does not have the support of fellow Republican, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Rauner said this week that he refuses to endorse the presumptive nominee, and does not plan to attend the Republican convention in Cleveland this summer.

"I don't need to go to Cleveland. I'm not going to Cleveland. That's not where I should spend my time. I should spend my time working for the people of Illinois and that's what I'm going to do," Rauner said on Friday after an event in Bloomington at a lawn and garden store to mark Small Business Week.

Sources told ABC7 that Rauner is upset by the tone of this year's Republican presidential primary campaign and disappointed that former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels decided not to run.

"I'm not going to comment on the Presidential race. I am focused 100 percent on the state of Illinois," Rauner said.

State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Normal, said he'll support the Republican nominee and is not concerned that the state party's leader will not.

"We have a budget impasse right now in Illinois and we need all hands on deck. The Governor believes that being down in Springfield trying to work with the legislature is where he belongs," Brady said.

McLean County Committeeman Jim Soeldner said that while Trump is not his first choice, he'll support the nominee and hopes Rauner comes around:

"I believe that after the convention he'll probably endorse him. It's hard to say. I don't know all the ins and outs of his position," said Soeldner, that Rauner's support would send a good signal.

Rauner can expect more questions about Trump at the state party convention later this month.