Donald Trump

Rauner: Presidential Campaign Rhetoric is ‘Ugly, Nasty, Weird'

The governor addressed the presidential race to a group of north suburban students Monday

Gov. Bruce Rauner said he was “horrified” by presidential campaign rhetoric during a stop at a north suburban middle school Monday.

When a student asked why young people should get into politics, Rauner pointed to the current race for the presidency.

“Democracy is hard, you know, and this presidential election, oh my goodness,” Rauner said. “I’m appalled by the rhetoric, it’s appalling. And it’s ugly and it’s nasty and it’s weird, and just some of the statements that get made, I’m just, I’m horrified.”

Following the comments made to students at Wilmette Junior High School, Rauner was more coy in speaking to the media about the subject. The governor instead pivoted from questions and insisted he was staying out of the race.

The Republican presidential race has been typified by the rise of the party’s frontrunner, political newcomer Donald Trump. Last week, Rauner said he would support Trump in a somewhat roundabout way, refusing to mention the billionaire by name.

“I will support the Republican Party’s nominee for president,” Rauner said. “I’ll do everything I can to work with that nominee.

Rauner expounded on his choice to keep a safe distance from the Republican presidential primary at Monday’s press conference.

“I don’t really want to talk further about the presidential race,” Rauner said. “I’ve made the comments- I’ve tried to stay out of it and I’m trying to stay impartial. I’ve not made endorsements in it, I’m not being active in it. I’m going to let the process play out. 

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