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 Rauner’s first stop in Lincoln was at the offices of Integrity
Data. Several local republicans were on hand to meet him.
Representing the city of Lincoln was Mayor Keith Snyder, Alderman
Scott Cooper, and city treasurer Chuck Conzo.
Representing the county was Logan County's Board Chairman, Robert
Farmer and newest board member Scott Schaffenacher. Logan County
Clerk and Recorder Sally Turner, Logan County Circuit Clerk Mary
Kelley, and former county board member, Terry Carlton, were also in
attendance.
Others present included Andi Hake of the Lincoln/Logan County
Chamber of Commerce and representing the Logan County Republicans,
chairman Dave Bender and “Beaver” Newman.
Rauner was met by Integrity Data owner Patrick Doolin, who offered
Rauner a tour of his historic, restored building. Doolin explained
how he brought his business to his hometown of Lincoln and talked
about the restoration of the Scully building.
Doolin then took Rauner around the network of offices on the first
floor, where Rauner shook hands and visited with several of the
employees.
Rauner then left Integrity Data and moved down the street to Abe’s
Carmelcorn Shop. He was met there by Helen and Lance Rainforth.
Helen Rainforth started the specialty store in Lincoln over 30 years
ago. On Wednesday, her son Lance explained that it was the 22-year
anniversary date of his shop in Peoria. The family has expanded
their business into several communities in the central Illinois
region and also have an online retail site.
Rauner spent several minutes visiting with the Rainforth's, and did
a brief walk through of their Lincoln store.
Leaving Abe’s, Rauner
walked on down the block to the former O’Donohue’s. There it was
announced that the building has been rented by the Republicans and
will serve as the Rauner/Republican Party campaign headquarters from
now until after the election.
After a quick ribbon cutting, guests were invited inside where
Rauner spoke briefly about his campaign efforts and his election
platform.
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Rauner renewed his promise that if he is elected governor, he
will not take a salary or a pension from the state of Illinois.
He noted that he is financially sound, and does not need the
state's money. He also renewed a promise that once in office he
plans to reside in Springfield in the governor’s mansion.
He spoke on a couple of occasions about his wife Diana, who is a
proclaimed Democrat, and supporter of her republican husband for
governor. He noted that the cross-over of Democrats who say they
will vote for Rauner is growing.
He poked at the incumbent governor as well as past governors
when he told a story of his children objecting to him running
for governor. The objections came to a climax when his youngest
daughter exclaimed that she didn’t want him to become governor
because she didn’t want him to go to prison.
He used the story as a segway to discuss the corruption in
Illinois and state his campaign slogan claim that he is going to
“Shake up Springfield and bring back Illinois."
Finally, he said his supporters can expect to see a lot more of
him on television in the next month and that he plans to hit
Quinn hard in his advertising.
The Illinois General Election will take place on Tuesday,
November 4. Absentee voting is underway now, and information
about that can be found in Lincoln Daily News at this link:
Logan County Clerk/Recorder Sally Turner Election info/notices.
Logan County Clerk and Recorder Sally Turner said Wednesday that
she was anticipating a low turnout on Election Day in the
county. Logan County Republican Party Chairman Dave Bender said
he wanted to see people out urging residents to go to the polls
and place their votes for Bruce Rauner.
[Nila Smith]
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