* The Times of Northwest Indiana…
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is dropping a fraction of his multimillion-dollar fortune across the state line trying to keep a fellow Republican in place as Indiana’s chief executive.
The first-term governor gave $100,000 last week to Indiana Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb’s campaign to succeed Gov. Mike Pence. […]
“Eric and Gov. Rauner have known each other for years, going back to when Rauner was exploring a bid and sought out Gov. Mitch Daniels and Eric for advice,” [Holcomb spokesman Pete Seat] said. […]
Indiana Democratic Party spokesman Drew Anderson said he believes Rauner’s donation to Holcomb is more about Rauner’s 2018 re-election bid than any genuine interest in Indiana politics.
“Gov. Rauner wants to keep Indiana’s current leadership and failed economy in place — one that includes falling wages and discriminatory policies,” Anderson said. “Rauner wants a Holcomb administration so he can continue to make himself look better.”
Nice try by the Democrats, but I seriously doubt that’s what he’s doing there since Rauner believes Indiana is an economic model for Illinois.
The polling shows a back and forth race.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:52 am:
It’s merely a downpayment.
He’s got a lease with an option to own on Indiana in case this Illinois thing doesn’t pan out.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:20 am:
@Michelle Flaherty- En Fuego, Senora!
- IllinoisBoi - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:20 am:
Part of Rauner’s plan to rip the economic guts out of Indiana?
- IllinoisBoi - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:23 am:
….or is Rauner going to acquire Kentucky next, so he can start building houses and hotels on the red group?
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:26 am:
Just diversifying his portfolio. /s
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:26 am:
$100K ?
Did not think BigBrain could be so cheap
- Norseman - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:29 am:
Michelle for the Goal!
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:29 am:
Annon’,
It’s probably more, but Indiana isn’t used to numbers with two commas.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:32 am:
- Michelle Flaherty - and - IllinoisBoi -
That’s some fun stuff.
To the Post,
I have no problem with Rauner inserting himself into Indiana politics, especially if it’s for someone or a cause he, Bruce Rauner, wants to support, financially.
The Indiana Dems? Yikes. Politics played poorly.
The amount is so “small” in Rauner numbers, it’s a sprinkling of the monies Rauner uses.
Now, Rauner goes “heavy-heavy” like well over 7-digits with less than 60 days out. Whew, that would be somethin’
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:53 am:
He wants to turn IL into IN? As a Chicagoan, I am hoping we’ll secede before that can happen.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:01 pm:
Indiana. It’s cheaper than all his other residences.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:23 pm:
“is Rauner going to acquire Kentucky next”
Since he seems to be concerned enough about neighboring states to toss some money into their gubernatorial races, I’d watch for his next move to be in Missouri, where “right to work” has become a major issue in their governor’s race. The source linked below may not be entirely unbiased, but it will give you an idea of what’s at stake there:
http://www.prnewschannel.com/2016/09/13/right-to-work-showdown-emerges-in-missouri-elections/
- Secret Square - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:24 pm:
Oops, Anonymous 12:23 was me.
- tinsel Town - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:25 pm:
If Bruce thinks Indiana is a model, it, Indiana sure hasn’t had the grid lock Illinois has had.
Maybe he might take a lesson from them starting with negotiation.
- Doug Simpson - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 1:11 pm:
Just like the tooth fairy doesnt exist, neither does Right to Work.
Its a lie. Quit repeating it.
- Timmeh - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 1:39 pm:
Money can buy friends and one can never have too many friends. Rauner strikes me as someone who plans to be in politics for the next 20 years.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 1:45 pm:
Rauner’s campaign contributions are pretty substantial for someone who’s been crushed by Illinois’ terrible economy.
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 2:34 pm:
Indiana has their own form of crazy politics. Remember when the Democratic minority in their GA was hiding out in Illinois so there would not be a quorum?
- Bluegrass Boy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 2:35 pm:
Indiana’s go-to move appears to be to offer tax breaks to companies to move there, allowing the politicians to have big press releases about their success as wise business attractors.
Then the companies as quietly as possible outsource (usually offshore) the jobs a year or so later.
This is part of the business-friendly model the Governor seeks to emulate.
- Dale_Cooper - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 3:21 pm:
Well isn’t Indiana a model of starving the beast? Some people don’t realize that a state is not a business and having a big surplus isn’t always a good thing. They’re on a short term gain long term pain plan, destroy the house and look good while doing it and by the time you’re gone it’s too late to clean things up. I guess you can say the economic model for Indiana is “skip the bill and put it in the bank and hoard tax payer money”.