Sen. Brady downplays talk of GOP primary challenge against Rauner

Posted on October 2, 2017
Bill Brady
Illinois Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady said he was disappointed that Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill to increase taxpayer funding for abortions. (Photo courtesy Illinois National Guard)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s recent signing of a bill that expands health care coverage to low-income women seeking abortions has upset many within his party.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Brady on WJBC.

“I was frustrated,” said State Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, who was recently named the party’s Senate leader. “This is a bill that I opposed. I have voted pro-life, I am pro file. I had a number of meetings with the governor, one-on-one, to talk about this.”

Brady told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin Illinois Democrats pushed through the abortion measure with Rauner in office to cause a rift within the Republican party.

Brady added the governor isn’t pushing a social agenda, but he doubts anyone would mount a primary challenge against Rauner next year.

“The governor would be very tough to beat and I think anyone who is thinking about a primary run better have a lot of money and better realize this is a big state and it’s hard just to jump into,” Brady said.

Brady said any challenger would likely need a lot of money and wouldn’t have a lot of time.

Brady ran against Rauner and several other Republicans in the 2014 primary after failed gubernatorial bids in 2006 and 2010.

The 2018 governor’s race is expected to be among the most expensive in Illinois history.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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