It’s an Ives-Morthland ticket
Saturday, Oct 28, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
[UPDATE: Comments are now open on this post.]
* Numerous folks I’ve talked to today have seen Rep. Jeanne Ives’ nominating petitions for governor. Her running mate is former Rep. Rich Morthland (R-Cordova), who lost to Democrat Mike Smiddy in 2012.
…Adding… The petition is here [fixed link]. And this is from one of Dan Proft’s outlets…
After weeks of speculation, State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) has decided to take a concrete step towards challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Ives stopped short of announcing her candidacy but said she will circulate petitions in pursuit of the required signatures to appear on the March 20 primary ballot while she continues contemplating the decision to run. […]
Rock Island-based former state representative and community college Prof. Rich Morthland will be Ives’ running mate.
“Rich and I know, however, that if you change out the politicians and tell people the truth, then the reform can begin,” Ives said. “And Illinois can recover. Our promise to you is to be honest about the problems we face and the path we must take to make Illinois a place where businesses and families can thrive. We will confront and expose public corruption at every level of government until it stops.” […]
Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland will serve as the chairman of the Ives for Illinois campaign.
…Adding More… Rep. Ives on Facebook…
I need my army of supporters around the state to bring common sense back to Illinois.
…Adding More… Illinois Review has the press release. Excerpt…
There is little trust between most Illinoisans and their government at many levels - and for good reasons. Top political leaders have lied to the people about who they are and what they are going to do - and they continue to make promises we cannot keep. Public corruption is an everyday event across the state. Many Illinoisans have simply decided to leave for better opportunities elsewhere.
Rich and I know, however, that if you change out the politicians, replacing them with public servants, and tell people the truth, then reform can begin. Illinois can and must recover. Our promise to you is to be honest about the problems we face and the path we must take to make Illinois a place where businesses and families can thrive again. We will confront and expose public corruption at every level of government until it stops.
I am most thankful that my team includes Chris Cleveland. He will serve as the Chairman of the Ives for Illinois campaign. Chris was among the first to encourage me to enter this race and has been a key advisor to me on a daily basis. His position as the current Chicago GOP chairman shows the broad base of support this campaign already has.
We need your help to get on the ballot. Our petition is attached along with the instructions. Please read through the instructions prior to circulating. In advance, I give my sincere thanks to all for your support and work that is ahead of us.
…Adding Still More… Hmm…
…Adding Some More… Gov. Rauner’s former deputy chief of staff for communications…
- Carhartt Union Negotiating Team - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 8:48 am:
JI: Rich, wear something in a crimson.
RM: I ain’t got nothing like that, I got maroon.
JI: Does it have the tint of battlefield blood?
RM: Uhh…um. Okay? Yes, okay.
JI: Perfect. Lemme finish getting this packet of petitions over to the Speaker and we’ll get that photo Proft wants.
RM: Wait, wha?
JI: Trust me. Just wear crimson.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 8:52 am:
===I need my army of supporters around the state to bring common sense back to Illinois.
Well that’s news. She thinks she has an army of supporters.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 8:55 am:
Not that she ever had a chance of getting my vote, but that “Live Laugh Love” sign behind her in the picture with Wherli seals the deal.
- Curl of the Burl - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 8:55 am:
I really want to use both a few banned words and an exclamation point right now.
- Redraider - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 8:57 am:
“ Crass and Crasser”
- Davos Seaworth - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:00 am:
I’m amazed that Rep. Ives was able to find someone just as unpleasant as she is to join her ticket.
- Grand Avenue - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:00 am:
So is Proft going to fund her or what? If not, she shouldn’t give up her House seat.
- cdog - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:11 am:
Excellent. I’ve watched several YouTube videos of her on the House floor.
With a degree in Economics, West Point grad and veteran, mother of a bunch of kids, and consistency with a backbone, she is a welcome voice.
Is it possible that many have billionaire fatigue and aren’t interested in a socialist?
The best is yet to come, though…media endorsements. As Ives-Wehrli start to pick up some serious coverage, that contrasts with the mess Rauner has created in his fake fight with his dem-inlaws, this is going to get real.
- Carhartt Union Negotiating Team - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:14 am:
Gawd! That’s Wherli!? I was so quick to quip I’d not even taken the time to notice it is Wherli, not Morthland. Geesh!
Jeanne should be proud to have Wherli’s support. Few legislators have been as accomplished at criticizing everyone else on Twitter. His district is really getting their money’s worth with that guy.
You know what they say: With friends like Grant….
- illini97 - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:17 am:
-cdog - “As Ives-Wehrli start to pick up some serious coverage, that contrasts with the mess Rauner has created in his fake fight with his dem-inlaws, this is going to get real.”
Ives isn’t running with Wehrli. She’s running with Morthland.
I presume Wehrli will be heading her twitter campaign.
- Saluki - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:23 am:
She has a chance to win this thing. I would not take her lightly.
- Jack Kemp - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:24 am:
If you zoom in and take a closer look at that photo, it’s actually Wehrli’s petition. Lol
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:27 am:
It’s been fascinating the last few months to witness formerly bedrock Rauner enablers discover the obvious, that he’s an exceptionally untrustworthy liar, even by cynical politician standards.
That’s a harsh description, but Rauner sure has earned it. On that, figures across the political spectrum agree.
If Ives gets on the ballot, it will be interesting. One million Illinois GOP primary voters last year cast a ballot for Trump or Cruz, two-thirds of the total. In a one-on-one matchup with Rauner, Ives can’t be dismissed.
Seriously, who’s the Rauner base these days? Who can he lean on hard, going forward?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:27 am:
I hope Mr. Wehrli tweets that.
His silence on HB40 while the day after Rauner signed HB40 Mr. Wehrli continued his silly trolling on all things Wehrli.
To the Post,
It’s a Fools Errand.
Going after any incumbent governor, let alone one with over $64+ million in the back as a sitting member of the General Assembly with $8,500 in the bank… tough to see a path to even make the “angry” plea to conservatives.
Ives needs to think about going back to the House, if she can without retribution, or just try to gin up so much negative that Rauner’s plurality next November is damaged and can’t be repaired.
I look at someone like - A Guy - who claims now (not disputing or mocking, I’m making a point) he/she won’t support Rauner. Will an Ives run maybe change that mind and in the end a person like - A Guy - might not sit out the race and will vote Rauner when Ives goes “full Ives” if this run continues.
- Can - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:28 am:
I actually think she’ll make this a nail biter if it’s one-on-one. If I’m Rauner, I’m trying to find one more person to run and split the Anti-Bruce vote.
- Umbra - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:35 am:
The word is that Wherli did not sign her petition willingly and is not with Ives. I think he needs to clarify with Rich like he’s been clarifying with others…
- Rich Miller - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:36 am:
===I actually think she’ll make this a nail biter===
You might wanna subscribe.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:36 am:
Diana Rickert, lol
Rickert last less than 40 days, embarrassed a sitting governor with 4 words anyone with a professional Comms background would never think, let alone put in a press release, and now Rickert thinks SHE knows what the alleged GOP needs and state government too?
Rickert is a pathetic failure of a Governor Comms guru. She’d be the last person you’d want to think you’d be “good”.
Rickert still has righteous indignation… about her “quitting”
- cdog - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:38 am:
Oops. Shb Ives-Moreland
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:39 am:
===The word is that Wherli did not sign her petition willingly and is not with Ives. I think he needs to clarify with Rich like he’s been clarifying with others…===
As much of a phony that Grant Wehrli is, the last two tweets Mr. Wehrli has are about “pensions” and Manafort.
As far as a trolling phony goes, Mr. Wehrli can do phony with the best of them.
- cdog - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 9:41 am:
I think I better have more coffee, or quit while I’m behind.
3x charm. I definitely beg for pardon. Ha.
Ives-Morthland
- Can - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 10:06 am:
I’m just saying primary day is a long time from now. Yes, Bruce is a well-funded incumbent, but anything can happen. Conservatives can win Republican primaries against governors that sign taxpayer-funded abortions into law. It can happen.
- Moe Berg - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 10:12 am:
Any word on whether Morthland will campaign with the light saber he kept on display in his Stratton office? That would be kind of cool. A Star Wars tie-in candidacy might have some potential, though Rauner is such a bland villain that he may not be the best foil for our “heroes.”
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 10:17 am:
Looks like it’s “Mom of 5″ vs “White Male” in the shallow waters of Rickert World.
I imagine it’s warm and cozy back in the accountability-free, dorm-room bong-hitting world of grifter think tankery. Good to have a safe place. if you flame out so quickly and spectacularly as a political flack, private sector capitalism probably ain’t in your skill set.
- cdog - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 10:17 am:
Pardon my sense of humor, but, I think it’s laughable that someone would agree to dilute the Ives vs Rauner contest.
If a person even exists, that would agree to be a spoiler third candidate, it just will damage Rauner more than he already is.
- Huh? - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 10:25 am:
I’d vote for her just for the chance to vote against 1.4%.
- Colin O'Scopey - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 10:26 am:
=I need my army of supporters around the state to bring common sense back to Illinois=…
I think she would have been better off stating: “I need AN army of supporters around the state to bring common sense back to Illinois.”
Her army of supporters just won’t cut it.
- Blue dog dem - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 10:28 am:
Is she a real.fiscal conservative or a a pretend fiscal conservative.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 11:27 am:
Anyone against Rauner gets my support.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 11:29 am:
Grant: Handshakes, not Hugs. New ‘SafeZone” behavior.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
Let’s say she wins the primary. That’s not gonna happen, but let’s just say it does. What possible route does she have in a general election? Candidates who run as True(TM) conservatives don’t win statewide in Illinois.
- LouLecture - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 1:09 pm:
Grant you were the inspiration for my nickname. You know how I love a good lecture, so here it is: Color coordinating clothes for pictures is a great idea for those under 10. When you are not the running mate and over 40, you should never coordinate outfits. The sign is such an inspiration, so I hope the campaign slogan is Live,Love,Laugh because this is INDEED what we all need right now. I can’t wait for your next Tweet.
- Rabid - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 2:08 pm:
the head of the GOP said he would support GOP candidates up and down the ticket. no ILGOP response yet
- Moderate GOP - Monday, Oct 30, 17 @ 3:40 pm:
Nope, not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent
- Lawrence Bay - Tuesday, Oct 31, 17 @ 8:07 am:
I will use my real name to say that I foolishly supported Bruce Rauner in 2014 but that this year I enthusiastically support Ives-Morthland.