South Central Reporter

Calling the recent gubernatorial primary in which incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner barely fended off challenger Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) evidence of a split among state Republicans, 107th House District candidate Blaine Wilhour urged the party to seek a way to make amends.

“There has to be serious, meaningful outreach on their part,” he said in an interview with the South Central Reporter. “If it is not resolved, it will result in many conservatives staying home in November.”

Ives, endorsed by the conservative National Review as well as other Republicans, came within 19,645 votes of defeating Rauner, according to election results published on Politico.com. That amounts to a 51-49 split between the two candidates.

Blaine Wilhour, GOP candidate for the 107th House District

In contrast, on the Democratic side of the ballot, J.B. Pritzker won against his closest challengers, Daniel Biss and Chris Kennedy by well over 200,000 votes each.

“Any time a sitting governor gets under 60 percent of the vote in a primary, there is clearly a divide,” Wilhour said.

The state’s budget crisis and tax burden are reason enough to motivate healing within the party, Wilhour said. He suggested it should start with re-engaging voters who have soured on politics.

Last year, Rauner came under fire after approving a bill that would pay for state workers’ abortions. Critics said he “lied” to them about plans to veto the legislation, according to an article in the Chicago Sun-Times.

“That’s where the divide comes from: not being honest about your positions and your opponent’s positions,” Wilhour said. “If you are honest, clear and admit when you screwed up, people will respect that.”

Wilhour said he is hoping a common goal of fiscal reform will help unite the party.

“Without some serious movement between now and November to win back rightfully disenchanted conservative voters, we are going to end up with an anti-reform, very liberal governor,” he said. “If we don’t push reform ASAP, we are toast.”