Politico Names Illinois Gov Race “Most Likely to Change Parties” in 2018

Rauner Ends Year Where He Started – Wastes Whole Year

To round out what has been an absolutely awful year for Governor Bruce Rauner, Politico named Illinois the most likely state to flip parties in 2018. Rauner, whose approval ratings have been stuck in the low 30’s, already earned the title of “most vulnerable incumbent” by several publications. But Politico’s ranking really put a cherry on top to Rauner’s disastrous year:

“Years of strife with Illinois Democrats has left Rauner in a weak position. A Morning Consult poll released in late October found Rauner’s approval rating at 30 percent, while a 55 percent majority said they disapproved of him — and the Democratic Governors Association has had a laser-like focus on Rauner for years ahead of his blue-state reelection run.”

Rauner’s reelection was seen at the beginning of the year as one of the most likely to flip. To end the year at the same point, or even lower, is a testament to his self-destructive operation, which turned Trumpian in December by blaming the media for his poor approval ratings.

“As bad as 2017 has been for Bruce Rauner, 2018 is going to be even worse when he’s thrown out of office,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “America’s worst governor is running out of time after wasting the past year pushing the state and his staff into crisis. Now, Rauner is showing his desperation by turning to the Donald Trump playbook and going after the media for his own failures.”

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