CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is touting his long career as a “reformer” and his push for clean government as he seeks his second full term.
But the Chicago Democrat’s carefully tended image as an outsider is being put to the test in a tough contest with Republican Bruce Rauner (ROW’-nur).
Quinn points to his consumer activist days and campaigns to shrink the size of government. He portrays himself as a regular guy who’s proudly frugal.
A recent ad shows him cutting his lawn with a push mower. He describes cutting spending and suspending his own paycheck to pressure lawmakers to address Illinois’ pension shortfall.
Quinn says: “People know I work hard … Everything I do (is) to help the common good.”
Rauner says he’s the true outsider in the race.
