The Northwest Side GOP Club is throwing its support behind Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) after members voted to endorse her in the 2018 Republican primary by a nearly 2-1 margin over Gov. Bruce Rauner.
During the group’s GOP Candidate Forum at the Copernicus Center on Jan. 20, Ives bagged 442 points to Rauner’s 226, for 66.2 percent of all points allotted. During the forum, all statewide and legislative candidates were given five minutes each to highlight their platforms for would-be voters.
In all, 92 of the 135 members of the organization cast votes, some of which carried a weighted value of up to 10 points.
Rep. Jeanne Ives
“Endorsing in the governor’s race was an especially difficult decision for the club, as we have tremendous respect for both candidates,” the group said in a press release. “Both Gov. Rauner and candidate Ives met with members at our club headquarters multiple times to discuss their ideas for reforming Illinois. We pledge our support 100 percent for the winner of the primary, without reservation.”
Prior to casting a vote, every group member participating in the forum was required to sign a pledge to support the winner of the March primary.
In the race for attorney general, Erika Harold won the group’s endorsement by a landslide over Gary Grasso, 604 points (93.5 percent) to 42 points (6.5 percent).
While endorsing all other uncontested GOP candidates, group members reaffirmed “once the March primary is over the club will be ready to tackle the biggest problems that vex Chicago’s Northwest Side by working to remove Mike Madigan, Robert Martwick, John Arena and John D’Amico from their respective offices.”
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