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* Subscribers know more. Tribune…
Downstate state Sen. Sam McCann is expected to file paperwork on Monday to run as the Conservative Party’s candidate for governor, creating an obstacle to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s re-election bid if McCann can stay on the ballot.
McCann, a Republican of Plainview in central Illinois, is a supporter of organized labor and often has been at odds with Rauner. He survived a primary re-election challenge backed by the governor two years ago. Now, McCann’s spokesman said he will file his petitions with the State Board of Elections to run for governor ahead of Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline.
His bid could capitalize on fissures within the state’s Republican Party that were on display in March, when Rauner defeated GOP primary challenger state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton by only 3 percentage points. Ives’ bid was motivated by anger from social conservatives over Rauner’s signature on laws expanding abortion, immigrant and transgender rights.
McCann could combine backing from social conservatives as well as supporters of President Donald Trump, in addition to union members who the governor has angered through his so-far-unsuccessful efforts to weaken organized labor.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Minimum is 25,000…
Third party candidates file petitions to get on the November ballot. @KashJackson2018 and other Libertarian candidates turned in some 47,000 signatures. pic.twitter.com/fOjXcCuAQq
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) June 25, 2018
*** UPDATE 2 *** I told subscribers about this petition number earlier today…
Sam McCann, the Conservative Party candidate for governor of Illinois, will deliver more than 60,000 nominating petition signatures this afternoon to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Seeking a spot on the November ballot, McCann and running mate Aaron Merreighn collected more than twice the requirement of 25,000 signatures from across the state.
“I’ve been inspired by the enthusiasm that we’ve seen from voters as we’ve gathered petitions,” said McCann. “I’ve had a chance to talk to folks from all over Illinois, and they are crying out for a change from Governor Rauner’s failed leadership. I am the candidate who can deliver that change, and I am excited to formally enter the race.”
McCann has served in the Illinois Senate since 2010 and is running against Governor Bruce Rauner and Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker to halt Illinois’ departure from law and order, economic liberty, and traditional conservative policies.
The General Election is on November 6, 2018.
*** UPDATE 3 *** That’s a lot of signatures…
Sen MCCann and running mate Aaron Merreighn to file 65,000 signatures pic.twitter.com/tGZeMwrdGh
— Bernie Schoenburg (@bschoenburg) June 25, 2018
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:24 am
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I’m a social conservative who wouldn’t give Sam the time of day. The guy needs to go back to his construction business.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:32 am
Well, McCann has gone from having my interest… to now having my attention.
They have my full attention.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:33 am
==I’m a social conservative who wouldn’t give Sam the time of day. ==
Then you’re not a social conservative.
Comment by anonymous Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:36 am
===I’m a social conservative===
If you support Rauner and his uber-left, costal, limousine liberal social agenda he’s signed… you’re doing it wrong.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:38 am
If he makes the ballot, he’s trouble for Rauner, no question.
Still that “if” dangling out there, though. He’s not going to get a pass.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:38 am
A local 150 top guy just the other day was telling people they actually think and hope Sam wins the whole thing. Which tells me dont be to sure all those votes he is taking are coming from Rauner
Comment by Board Watcher Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:41 am
The Libertarians just filed their slate
Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:43 am
A local 150 top guy just the other day was telling people they actually think and hope Sam wins the whole thing. Which tells me dont be to sure all those votes he is taking are coming from Rauner
-I don’t think that will be the case. If so maybe Madigan feels threatened by JB.
Comment by Real Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:46 am
Finally have a “Republican” you can vote for OW?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:47 am
Anon 9:36, I’m definitely a social conservative.
Willy, Rauner’s positions have nothing to do with my feelings about McCann. He better get hired by JB if he wins cause the guy is toast in the R party.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:47 am
===McCann could combine backing from social conservatives as well as supporters of President Donald Trump, in addition to union members…===
I hope union members aren’t foolish enough to fall for this. “Fool me once” and all that.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:49 am
As the only pro-life candidate in the race, Sam’s likely to attract both Democrats and Republicans. I suspect that both JB and BR will micro-target pro-life voters on behalf of Sam and pro-choice voters on behalf of themselves. In a blue wave year, JB wins that one walking away. Pro-Choice Dems are the biggest block and they are all riled up and ready to vote.
Comment by Hansel Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:50 am
==Willy, Rauner’s positions have nothing to do with my feelings about McCann. He better get hired by JB if he wins cause the guy is toast in the R party ==
OW has said this before and I agree. It isn’t the Republican Party right now. It’s the Rauner Party.
Comment by anony Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:51 am
===Rauner’s positions have nothing to do with my feelings about McCann.===
Hmm…
===I’m a social conservative===
Actually, supporting Rauner… you’re not, lol
Ask Mr. Breen. Phony is gonna phony.
===Finally have a “Republican” you can vote…===
Good to know “Lucky Pierre” you acknowledge, again, Rauner isn’t a Republican. Not by any measure.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:52 am
(Tips cap to - anony -)
===I hope union members aren’t foolish enough to fall for this. “Fool me once” and all that.===
You mean Rauner? Please clarify.
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:54 am
Rauner and Pritzker are both poor choices. Any third party candidate would have a chance!
Comment by "Old Timer Dem" Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:56 am
McCann is in it for payback, big time, to Rauner. He cant say that, of course, but he has many people who dislike Bruce SO
MUCH, they will go with McCann just to help batter Rauner. Rauner has a truckload of thoroughly unlikable characteristics that will beat him come election.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:02 am
==A local 150 top guy just the other day was telling people they actually think and hope Sam wins the whole thing.==
That’s what they have to say if they’re giving him crypto-support.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:02 am
“If you support Rauner and his uber-left, costal, limousine liberal social agenda he’s signed…”
This sort of thing had me scratching my head when Pritzker tried to link Rauner to Trump on immigration issues. I am not exactly a Rauner fan, but it was a stretch to claim that Trump and Rauner are allies or hold the same viewpoints on border security and processing undocumented immigrants.
Comment by Practical Politics Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:07 am
–A local 150 top guy just the other day was telling people they actually think and hope Sam wins the whole thing. Which tells me dont be to sure all those votes he is taking are coming from Rauner–
It tells me there’s one guy talking out his tukkus. Nothing more.
In Illinois, the arithmetic simply doesn’t work for a third-party candidate on the right to get a plurality in a statewide race.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:09 am
===Pritzker tried to link Rauner to Trump on immigration issues. I am not exactly a Rauner fan, but it was a stretch to claim that Trump and Rauner are allies or hold the same viewpoints on border security and processing undocumented immigrants.===
The goal is to get Rauner to speak against Trump and Trump policies… so, you say things where Rauner has to clarify his own record.
Notice Rauner won’t even say the word “Trump”, or use it with a negative connotation? Think that’s an accident?
Rauner has no constituency. Rauner needs Trumpkins.
So… make Rauner clarify he’s not with Trump, by linking, as all midterm candidates do, Rauner to the sitting president as both Rauner and Trump are underwater terribly in Illinois.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:11 am
There is long term strategy too here for Local 150. If Sam gets over 5% of the vote, then the Conservative Party becomes established in Illinois, which means they will have lower signature requirements, primary elections, and elected Committeemen - it means they can be a thorn in the Republicans’ sides for 4 years
Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:15 am
=I am not exactly a Rauner fan, but it was a stretch to claim that Trump and Rauner are allies or hold the same viewpoints on border security and processing undocumented immigrants.=
Not really. You have a divisive President and a Governor who has no real constituency. By not clearly establishing where his principals lie Rauner can simultaneously be deemed “liberal” or “conservative” depending on the issue and audience. He’s very much a man on an island and that leaves him vulnerable.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:15 am
McCann will get maybe 6% of the vote and probably pull votes from both candidates. He has enough baggage to drag him down if anyone runs negatives against him. JB will probably still win by 10 if McCann is on the ballot or off. Taking third party candidates seriously is just feeding into a non narrative. No one outside this blog knows who he is or is talking about this.
Comment by Bumblin stumblin rumblin Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:16 am
== A local 150 top guy just the other day was telling people they actually think and hope Sam wins the whole thing. Which tells me dont be to sure all those votes he is taking are coming from Rauner ==
I know Sam will pull mostly R voters but my fear is Rauner might squeek back in in a 3 way race. It’s a long shot, but it is (a) Illinois where anything can happen and (b) I think more of an outsider year than a blue wave year, at least in Illinois.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:21 am
Interesting take RNUG on what might happen if Sam gets in the race. The conventional wisdom is that it will hurt Rauner more. I know this, there are more than a few folks who aren’t happy with either choice of Rauner or JB. As you say you never know in Illinois.
Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:38 am
47,000 for the Libertarians. Wonder how many McCann got with his union funding.
Comment by E Neiman Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:41 am
I expect that the support from Democrats will be strong based on the turnout numbers in the primary. At the same time Rauner showed how vulnerable he is with conservatives given the race he had with Ives which was much closer than it should have been give the advantages of money and incumbency. The real question to me is whether or not McCann will get any meaningful financial support. If he’s on the ballot and has money it’s a major headache for Rauner.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:49 am
Can we take a moment to reflect on how laughable Kash Jackson’s candidacy is?
Comment by Thomas Zane Stepp Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:53 am
Illinois needs a good, honest military veteran on the ballot. Thanks McCann.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:55 am
I know Sam will pull mostly R voters but my fear is Rauner might squeek back in in a 3 way race. It’s a long shot, but it is (a) Illinois where anything can happen and (b) I think more of an outsider year than a blue wave year, at least in Illinois.
-Judging from the primary I don’t think that will be the case. JB was hammered more tgan any candidate including Rauner yet he still had more votes than all of them. Even with all the other candidates being anti-Madigan we see JB still pulled more votes than them all.
Comment by Real Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:58 am
=== Even with all the other candidates being anti-Madigan we see JB still pulled more votes than them all.===
To be fair, the anti-Madigan vote was split, as will be the conservative vote here.
Comment by Thomas Zane Stepp Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:00 am
OW-
===You mean Rauner? Please clarify.
Thanks.===
I mean fooling enough to vote for anyone but Pritzker.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:03 am
To be fair, the anti-Madigan vote was split, as will be the conservative vote here.
-That’s only if you are assuming 100% of Biss and Kennedy voters are ant-Madigan. I’m not anti-Madigan yet I would of voted for Biss but chose JB because of the money factor. A lot of other voters voted the same way.
Comment by Real Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:06 am
=== Taking third party candidates seriously is just feeding into a non narrative. ===
Not really, Rauner has a worse approval rating than Trump and just barely edged out of the primary. McCann can have a real effect on this race.
Comment by Thomas Zane Stepp Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:06 am
=== -That’s only if you are assuming 100% of Biss and Kennedy voters are ant-Madigan. ===
Nothing is ever 100% but I wouldn’t call it an unfair assessment that the general population that voted for Biss and Kennedy were anti-Madigan. Both ran anti-Madigan campagins. Had the vote been more consolidated then the race would have been more competitive.
Comment by Thomas Zane Stepp Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:12 am
*foolish. Sorry.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:14 am
Nothing is ever 100% but I wouldn’t call it an unfair assessment that the general population that voted for Biss and Kennedy were anti-Madigan. Both ran anti-Madigan campagins. Had the vote been more consolidated then the race would have been more competitive.
-Well, Rauner has been the most anti-Madigan Governor we have seen since Madigan has been in office and yet he himself barely won his own primary.. So again it seems that Rauner is more in trouble than Madigan or JB.. Rauner being so anti-Madigan almost lost his own primary despite spending tens of millions in anti-Madigan rhetoric.
Comment by Real Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:15 am
The Board of Elections lists Kash Jackson as
GRAYSON KASH JACKSON
formerly known as
BENJAMIN ADAM WINDERWEEDLE until name changed on Aug 29, 2017
Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:20 am
=== Rauner being so anti-Madigan almost lost his own primary despite spending tens of millions in anti-Madigan rhetoric. ===
I agree 100% on that. I’m just saying that it probably would have been a closer primary race had the anti-madigan dems gotten behind Kennedy or Biss. Heading into the general election is good news for JB as the tone is shifting more and more away from Madigan and more towards issues of substance and policy.
Comment by Thomas Zane Stepp Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:21 am
Heading into the general election is good news for JB as the tone is shifting more and more away from Madigan and more towards issues of substance and policy.
- So far it has been heading toward more toilet and Blago talk. Rauner is avoiding policy and issues because he knows his platform appeals to no one but a red republican or for some uninformed voter in the least.
Comment by Real Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:26 am
=== So far it has been heading toward more toilet and Blago talk. Rauner is avoiding policy and issues because he knows his platform appeals to no one but a red republican or for some uninformed voter in the least. ===
Exactly, but the tone of the overall race is craving more substance now that primaries are over. What helped Rauner edge out in 2014 and in the primaries simply won’t work in the general election here.
Comment by Thomas Zane Stepp Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:28 am
There is no path to victory for Rauner.
Comment by Saluki Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:43 am
May god bless the poor Rauner interns who have one week to go through 100k signatures at the board of elections. Good luck with that.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 12:16 pm
If McCann’s people really think his campaign is winnable (it’s not) we’ll know quickly because they’ll try and knock the Libertarians off. McCann can’t afford to split the non-Rauner non-Pritzker vote with Kash Jackson (or anyone).
Comment by The Captain Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 12:45 pm
The Biss voters I know are also anti Madigan. They will be voting for JB. I question how many Dem primary voters would cross over in the general to vote for Rauner, McCann or Libertarian because of their anti Madigan views. If they abandon JB it will be because Rauner commercials work more than any anti Madigan bias.
It will be interesting to see which law firm represents McCann in the coming challenge. Did 150 do his circulating? That’s a lot of signatures. I never saw a single circulator.
Comment by Original Rambler Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 12:51 pm
“The Biss voters I know are also anti Madigan. They will be voting for JB.”
I became an “anti-Madigan” Kennedy voter when he flipped to yes on marijuana legalization, because I loved the willingness to take on and criticize one’s own party and leaders like Madigan. I’ll be voting for JB as well.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 1:16 pm
McCann is almost as good at acquiring signatures as he is at accruing unpaid taxes.
Comment by INI Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 1:27 pm
I had assumed behind the scenes the Democratic Powers That Be, Pritzker’s campaign included, were working to help McCann get signatures.
A much better use of their campaign resources than running TV ads in June.
Comment by ZC Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 1:30 pm
According to his voting record ranked by ACU, McCann is the most liberal elected Republican in Illinois. Him running as a conservative is rich.
Judging by the strange love he gets from people like OW, he seems much more likely to pull Pritzker votes from blue dog Dems.
Comment by Phil King Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 1:37 pm
Saluki. I think you are barking up the right tree.
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 1:57 pm
Judging by the strange love he gets from people like OW, he seems much more likely to pull Pritzker votes from blue dog Dems.
-But he is running as a pro-Trump conservative so not sure how you fugure he is pulling JB voters. Those JB voters dislike Trump.
Comment by Real Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 2:28 pm
If McCann makes the ballot, watch the interesting ads that will pop up from the creative Rauner camp.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 2:35 pm
===According to his voting record ranked by ACU, McCann is the most liberal elected Republican in Illinois. Him running as a conservative is rich.==
Probably as rich as Rauner with an uber-left, costal, limousine liberal social agenda, lol
===Judging by the strange love he gets from people like…===
Pro labor, pro 2nd amendment.
“And?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 2:45 pm
“There is no path to victory for Rauner.”
Perhaps. But I can easily imagine multiple paths to defeat for JB.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 3:54 pm
65,000 signatures, and perhaps fewer than 6.5 friends? That is pretty amazing.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 3:59 pm
===But I can easily imagine multiple paths to defeat for JB.===
This is the most true.
Let’s not forget.
The Pritzker Crew stated publicly and for the record they have no idea what other Blago tapes exist.
They admit they haven’t done a complete oppo on themselves to know what’s even out there.
If that isn’t scary… or give you pause…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 4:02 pm
This reminds me of the time when Adlai Stevenson ran on a third party ticket because the Larouche people captured the Democratic nomination for governor. Raunder is an extremist while McCann is the real Republican candidate.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 4:25 pm
=== Taking third party candidates seriously is just feeding into a non narrative. ===
Do you even know anything about third-party platforms and narratives? It’s good to see you two-party minions agitated.
Comment by McBlocked Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 4:40 pm
===According to his voting record ranked by ACU, McCann is the most liberal elected Republican in Illinois.–
No worries then. Based on your brilliant analysis, Rauner would want to keep McCann on the ballot to take votes from Pritzker.
Geez, you Raunerbots are sad and thick. I hope it covers the rent in Kazan.
If he gets on the ballot and raises any money, old liberal McCann is going to run like Ives to the reactionary kook-right of Rauner on Mexicans/Muslims, gays, guns and abortion.
How’d Ives do in the primary? Think that might appeal to Trump voters?
You know, Quinn got 46.4% of the vote in 2014.
How much wiggle room do you thing Rauner has in 2018?
You should be on Prtitzker’s payroll, with that kind of tukkus-kissin’ trash-talk for Rauner.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 9:43 pm
–”There is no path to victory for Rauner.” –
This is what shallow dumbkoffs say in June, and if they’re right, they remind everyone. If they’re wrong, they say nothing.
Long way to November.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 10:44 pm
I will stick with my 9% loss by Rauner. If I am wrong. Please remind me come November. If I’m still kicking I will consume a slice of humble pie.
Comment by BlueDogDem Tuesday, Jun 26, 18 @ 6:02 am