Illinois Has a New Governor

Susie Moore Follow @SmoosieQ

Nov 06, 2018 9:56 PM 9:56 PM on November 06, 2018

Illinois Has a New Governor — In this July 29, 2018, photo, Illinois Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker talks with supporters in Geneva, Ill. New Illinois campaign reports show that Pritzker has pumped $146.5 million of his own money into his bid to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford)

Update: As of Wednesday morning, with 99% of the votes reported, Pritzker took 54% of the vote to Rauner’s 39.3%.

Less than 7% of the votes have been counted so far in Illinois, but the gubernatorial race has been called for billionaire Democrat J.B. Pritzker. At present, the AP shows Pritzker with 64.7% of the vote to Rauner’s 30.7%.

Rauner’s wasn’t a particularly popular tenure (though there’s no indication he’s headed to jail, unlike several of his predecessors.)

As I wrote yesterday, Republican voters from downstate, Illinois were hoping to stave off a Pritzker win, fearing his policies will further amplify the economic woes the state has faced in recent years.

Unfortunately, their hopes haven’t been borne out.