West Point Grad Sets the Illinois Governor’s Race on Fire

Up until last week, Army veteran and Illinois state representative Jeanne Ives was considered a long shot to defeat Governor Bruce Rauner in the upcoming Republican gubernatorial primary.

Then the West Point graduate crushed the governor in a debate before the Chicago Tribune editorial board and the whole dynamic of the race changed.

Maybe she was just excited after that epic performance, but something made the candidate decide that it was time to release this online advertisement last Friday.

The ad features a collection of individuals thanking the governor for his policies.

1. There’s a man in drag who needs a shave. In a deep bass voice, he says, “Than your for signing legislation that lets me use the girls’ bathroom.”

2. Then there’s a woman in a pink pussy hat who says. “Thank you for making all Illinois families pay for my abortions.”

3. Next up is an anarchist activist in a hoodie with his face covered by a bandanna. “Thanks for opposing law enforcement and making Illinois a sanctuary state for illegal immigrant criminals."

4. An African-American woman in a Teachers Union t-shirt thanks Rauner for having the state “bail out Chicago teacher pensions.”

When Illinois political blog first reported the ad last Friday, some angry Ives supporters accused the blog of making up the story in an effort to undermine her campaign.

Nope, this ad is 100% real.

The former platoon leader and headquarters detachment commander for transportation units in Germany refused to back down, claiming that the ad is a “fair and accurate representation of the implications” of Gov. Rauner’s policies.

Ives campaign spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy told the Associated Press, “Rauner betrayed Illinois conservatives. He and his paid-for mouthpieces don’t like his betrayals being illustrated and his radical left-wing social agenda being exposed. Rauner is the one who owes Illinois families in general and conservatives in particular an apology."

There’s no hesitation or apology there. Ives devised a battle plan and she’s determined to follow it.

Only nine months until election day, folks. Buckle up.