Downstate Senator Sam McCann filed petition signatures on Monday to get on the fall ballot. Back in April he announced a run for governor for the newly created Conservative Party.
McCann was elected to the Senate as a Republican. But he and GOP Governor Bruce Rauner have a history clashing over unions, which McCann supports. Some claim his bid for governor is just a ploy to steal votes away from Rauner and help Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker. McCann said that’s not the full picture.
“I believe that we will take votes from Governor Rauner," said McCann. "We will take votes from JB Pritzker and we will pick up votes along the way and I believe that we will be successful.”
McCann agrees a “large portion” of his voters will be those who voted against Rauner in the primary.
“If the people of Illinois understood, that the Democratic and Republican lawmakers are playing you for fools, they’re taking your tax dollars and basically padding their own pockets," said McCann. "This needs to change and we’re going to make sure it does.”
McCann, who is from Plainview, turned in 65,000 signatures, well above the 25-thousand required. He says they were collected by himself and his running mate, Aaron Merreighn of Riverton, as well as both volunteers and some workers who were paid. He expects an objection to be filed with the State Board of Elections but says he feels confident the signatures will hold up to scrutiny.
