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Trump Delegate Pleads For Governor Rauner To Join Campaign

Amanda Vinicky

Supporters of Donald Trump say now that the Republican National Convention is over, and he’s the nominee, it’s high time party leaders got on board.

When the balloons dropped and the confetti fell following Trump’s speech, Illinois’ delegates to the RNC were loving it. In the moment, anyway, they were all united, as GOP Chairman Tim Schneider led them all in an "ILL-INI" chant.

But Gov. Bruce Rauner’s absence from the party was noticeable, as Trump delegate John Lynch -- a retired banker with a piece of star-shaped blue confetti stuck in his hair – issued a public plea.

“Come on board, Gov. Rauner, come on board, Gov. Rauner,please, we love you, we’re you’re Republican support team! Please join us! And, Mark Kirk!”

Earlier Thursday, Rauner refused to comment on the convention, saying he’s done talking about the presidential race.

Rauner months ago said he would support whoever's the Republican nominee, but he's said little else.

Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, whose Democratic opponent for the seat-- Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth -- is attempting to tie Kirk to Trump; Kirk has publicly disavowed Trump, and says he won't vote for him in November.

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.
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