Gov. Quinn wants to be 'people's candidate'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As Pat Quinn campaigns for governor he's trying to draw contrasts to his rival, Republican Bruce Rauner.

Two months ago ABC7 Eyewitness News gave a behind-the-scenes look at Rauner and now it's the governor's turn.

As he runs for re-election against a super-wealthy republican businessman, Democrat Pat Quinn is trying to convince voters he's a regular guy and working class champion.

For what he says will be his last campaign for governor, Gov. Quinn wants to be "the people's candidate."

"I think it's important to have a people person as Governor who cares about everyday folks," he said. "You've got to make sure you keep your feet on the ground and pay attention to what everyday people want to tell you."

For 31 years Quinn has lived in Chicago's Galewood neighborhood on the West Side. He raised two sons here and prides himself on being a middle class homeowner.

"It's a Georgian house with 1800 square feet and three bedrooms and it's pretty simple and it's the only house I own," he said.

That's a jab at Quinn's Republican opponent Bruce Rauner, the wealthy businessman with nine homes, including a multi-million dollar mansion in Winnetka that we visited last month.

"Nobody here has a huge house but it's good enough," Quinn said.

For exercise, the 65-year-old governor plays basketball at Fenwick High School, his alma mater.

"He's played basketball here since I've been here, really," John Quinn said.

Younger brother John is a history teacher and former Fenwick head coach.

"He's a rough and tumble player, he always plays to win," said John Quinn. "(He's) got a good shot, though. He can hit the 15, 18 foot, mid-range game."

"I like sports," Pat Quinn said. " Not only basketball. Last night I went to the baseball game."

A longtime White Sox season ticket holderm Quinn, with security detail, entered U.S. Cellular Field through a general admission gate.

He was stopped by fans a half dozen times on his way to what his campaign calls "the cheap seats."

In the so-called "nosebleed section" Illinois' governor says he's most comfortable.

The governor, seen on news reports last week holding the hand of boy who collapsed at a campaign rally, says his caring image is no political act.

"I think it's very important to be down to earth, unpretentious," he said. "That's who I am."

And that, he says, will help make him a winner in the 2014 race for governor.

"I really feel its government of the 'many' versus government of the 'money,'" he said. "I'm the guy with the many. I'm never going to have a whole lot of money. But I understand everyday people more than anybody running for governor."

In ABC7's May interview, Rauner made the point that he grew up in a middle class, to this day has middle class relatives and earned his fortune as a venture capitalist. He says he'll use his skills as a businessman to resolve the state's fiscal crisis.

Voters will have a lot to talk about and think about between now and November 4 when deciding between these two candidates.