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* I’ve received several texts and e-mails about this WSIL TV story since Friday evening and the topic is starting to get picked up by social media accounts, but the story is not an accurate portrayal of what Gov. Bruce Rauner said yesterday…

“It’s very important that we all come together,” Rauner said. “We need to create a better future for the people of Illinois.”

But is Rauner practicing what he preaches?

The Democratic Governor’s Association says no.

The group claims Governor Rauner hasn’t met with Ives since the election.

Rauner denied the claim, saying he spoke to Ives “right after the election.”

* Nope. Here’s the actual exchange…

Reporter: When, specifically did you reach out to Ives?

Rauner: Oh, that’s a tough question. We [stutters] Right after the election.

The governor never said he “spoke” to Ives, he said he (or his campaign) reached out. So this is not a repeat of November, 2014, when Rauner said he talked to the Democratic legislative leaders, but actually didn’t.

* Even so, the Ives campaign says the governor didn’t tell the truth after I sent them the above exchange and the audio and asked when the governor reached out…

Hi Rich,

As usual, Governor Rauner is not telling the truth. What he is saying happened did not happen. But that’s fine. Rauner’s surrogates have made and continue to make it clear that they want Ives and other conservatives out of the party so there’s no need for perfunctory and disingenuous outreach. He and his surrogates are who Republicans chose to lead them. He is the nominee. And Ives wishes him good luck in the general.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison called to say that on the morning after the election “Our campaign manager reached out to [Ives spokesperson] Kathleen Murphy to set up a phone call and never heard back.” Allison said Betsy Ankney reached out via text.

*** UPDATE 2 *** DGA…

At a press conference this morning, Governor Bruce Rauner lamented the sad state of his relationship with primary challenger state Representative Jeanne Ives:

Watch Here

Reporter: Have you and Jeanne Ives spoken? Have you reached out to her, can you just walk us through your contact with her [inaudible]?

Rauner: We called her, her office, right after the primary. We were told at the time that she did not have an interest in speaking with me or meeting with me, at this point. That’s the current status. Hopefully we’ll be talking soon. I look forward to that.

The update on the frayed relationship comes as Rauner has flailed for weeks in a desperate attempt to unite his broken party. Nearly three weeks into the general election and Ives is still calling the failed governor a liar while promising to continue holding him accountable for the rest of his term.

“Nearly three weeks after 48% of Republican voters rejected Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership, Rauner has done nothing to repair his relationship with his base,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Jeanne Ives and Republican voters know Rauner has failed Illinois’ families, so it’s no surprise she won’t pick up the phone.”