State Rep. Jeanne Ives has begun circulating petitions to take on incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner in the Republican primary, and she is asking for help to get on the ballot.
The Wheaton lawmaker has publicly mulled a run against the first-term GOP governor for several weeks, after Rauner signed a measure to allow Illinois to cover abortions for state employees and Medicaid recipients.
On Sunday, her campaign sent out an email to supporters confirming that she had begun circulating petitions, and that she had named former State Rep. Rich Morthland as her running mate in the primary election.
"Rich and I know that if you change out the politicians, replacing them with public servants, and tell people the truth, then reform can begin," she said. "Our promise to you is to be honest about the problems we face and the path we must take to make Illinois a place where businesses and families can thrive again."
Morthland, of Cordova, is a Rock Island County Board member after serving in the Illinois House from 2011 through 2013.
Ives said earlier this month that she was "exploring the option by having important conversations with folks around the state” about "challenging the unprincipled and morally bankrupt politicians who have failed to deliver reforms demanded by taxpayers, business and ordinary citizens that have played by the rules and yet, find themselves ignored by leader in both parties."
Ives was looking into forming an exploratory committee, sources said last week, adding that she would likely run if she could raise $1 million.
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While Ives has not formally announced her candidacy, signatures are due Dec. 4 in order to qualify for a spot on the March 20 primary election ballot.
