Pritzker, Rauner camps debate debates
Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrat J. B. Pritzker have been ripping on each other for more than a year, but they’ll soon have to meet face to face in debates ahead of the November election.
And they’re already feuding about what those may be.
Pritzker on Thursday agreed to participate in the following debates: Sept. 20 in Chicago, sponsored by NBC5, Telemundo, Union League of Chicago and Chicago Urban League; Oct. 3 in Chicago, sponsored by ABC7, Univision, and League of Women Voters, and Oct. 11 in Quincy, sponsored by WGEM and the Illinois Broadcasters Association.
But Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison said the Pritzker camp did not reach out to the Republican incumbent’s campaign beforehand. Allison said it “doesn’t mean we aren’t going to do those debates” but noted they were not given any “heads up.” Allison, too, said the participating TV stations were also not notified.
If the schedule goes as Pritzker planned, both candidates have a big stake in Downstate Quincy. Rauner has been embroiled in controversy over his administration’s response to a deadly Legionnaires’ outbreak at the Illinois Veterans’ Home. He spent several nights there in January, and a task force he created is poised to try to rebuild the flailing home. Pritzker has continually hammered Rauner over the outbreak, labeling the governor’s handling of it “fatal mismanagement.” Pritzker was the first to announce the debate schedule.
“This is a critical election for our state and it is important for all voters in Illinois to hear from the gubernatorial candidates about their plans to fight for working families,” Pritzker said in a statement.
Rauner’s campaign on Thursday said they look forward to “debates,” but didn’t specify that they’ll participate in the ones listed.