Bruce Rauner presents campaign closing arguements

Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Rauner presents campaign closing arguements
Republican challenger Bruce Rauner's closing argument included an indictment of the current governor.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- This is the day when you put on the most miles, try to shake the most hands, and put an exclamation point on your message, and the two candidates for Illinois governor spent Monday night making a final push for votes.

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Republican challenger Bruce Rauner's closing argument included an indictment of the current governor.

"Yes, Pat Quinn, we do know you," Rauner said. "We know the brutal income tax hike you put on the families of Illinois. We know the high property taxes you forced on the people of Illinois. We know the jobs you've forced out of Illinois."

Quinn's approval rating bottomed out this term at just 25 percent, but he has gained traction, in part, by branding Rauner as a heartless businessman.

"Pat Quinn can't run on the truth so he's got to make up a bunch of bologna to try to divert voters' attention, but they're going to see through it," Rauner said.

There was a final Republican rally in the suburbs that will likely prove decisive Tuesday.

"Last time the feeling was suburban women in collar counties kept us from the winning the governorship," said former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. "Bruce Rauner is a social moderate so I think we've overcome that obstacle."

Republicans are also hoping to pick up one seat in the state house to break the Democrats' veto-proof majority.

"We do that it forces negotiations, it's going to prohibit democrats from issuing any new debt; but we'd also be able to watch Bruce Rauner's back," said State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs).

Four years ago, Brady won all but four counties in Illinois, but still managed to lose the election. That's how dominant the Democratic vote is in the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County, and it's why Rauner has been working hard to dilute Quinn's lead there.