Local Rep. Cheri Bustos is being floated as a possible Democratic challenger to Gov. Bruce Rauner in the 2018 race.Sources close to the Illinois Democratic party tell Politico that recent talks have centered on running Bustos if another possible Democrat candidate, Dick Durbin, decides against a gubernatorial campaign.
Bustos spokesman Jared Smith left the door open to a Bustos-Rauner race but says the East Moline Democrat is focused on 2016.
He says Bustos is focused on “working to elect Democrats on all levels so we can grow our economy, invest in our schools and get Illinois back on track.”
Smith denounces Republican Senator Mark Kirk and presidential candidate Donald Trump for enabling Rauner’s “disastrous turn around agenda.”
Meanwhile Bustos’ November opponent for the 17th U.S. Congressional seat is calling for her to pledge she won’t run for governor.
Republican Patrick Harlan says if Bustos won’t sign a pledge then he assumes she will “deny her responsibilities” as a representative and therefore he “demands she withdraw her candidacy.”
