A Quad Cities area man has joined a possible rebellion within the Illinois republican party. State Representative Jeanne Ives from Wheaton might challenge Governor Bruce Rauner in next year's primary, and she's chosen as her lieutenant governor running mate, Rich Morthland.
Morthland farms part-time in Rock Island County, is a member of the county board, teaches at Black Hawk College, and served one term in the Illinois House.
"She really wanted downstate values. She wanted somebody not only with downstate values, but a downstate perspective, because we do see things differently out here."
He admits it's an "extreme" step to challenge the governor from their own party.
"Governor Rauner campaigned very well. He campaigned to the majority of Illinois and he has not governed for the majority of Illinois. He has governed for the same Chicago area cronies, et cetera et cetera - it's pretty much been business as usual."
And with just about six weeks until the filing deadline for the March primary, Morthland says he and Ives are gathering petition signatures, recruiting volunteers, and trying to line up financial commitments for their campaign.
