The Chicago Sun-Times, a liberal-leaning paper that gave up the practice of political endorsements three years ago, has endorsed Republican Bruce Rauner for Illinois governor.
The gubernatorial election, the paper says, could be the most important election in the state’s modern history. In Rauner, the editorial says, “we see everything the current occupant of the Governor’s Mansion is not — a smart businessman, skilled executive and born leader beholden to nobody but those of us smart enough to vote him into office.” The Sun-Times hits the incumbent, Pat Quinn, for failing to welcome businesses to Illinois and for “uninspired tinkering on fiscal matters.” (Rauner, Crain’s Chicago Business notes, is a former part-owner of the Sun-Times.)
Rauner also has the endorsement of the more centrist Chicago Tribune, the city’s other major paper. After leading in the polls throughout the summer, Rauner seemed to fall behind Quinn, trailing by two to three percentage points in polling conducted over the last month. But he’s gained ground in a new poll from Southern Illinois University and the race looks essentially tied, as early voting in Illinois begins today.