CHICAGO - As the primary election heads toward its conclusion on March 18, conservative Illinoisans are beginning to focus on the candidates and the issues important to them. One of those questions being asked is about abortion. Specifically, what is Bruce Rauner's position.
Rauner declined to answer questionnaires from the Illinois Family Institute and the Illinois Right to Life PAC. However, Illinois Review has found a video from November 2013 in which Rauner was asked whether he was pro-choice or pro-life. Rauner's answer is at the 42:00 mark:
Question from the group: I’ve been asked several times where you stand on social issues - are you pro-choice or pro-life? It makes me very uncomfortable to ask …
Rauner: No, you shouldn’t be uncomfortable at all. I’m very direct with my views. My issue is that we need to be respectful - as Republicans - we need to be respectful of each other’s feelings.
I have some of the most socially-conservative leaders in our state helping our campaign - Jack Roeser, John Schultz - who built that beautiful 75 (198) foot cross outside of Effingham - a leader - he’s co-chair of my campaign, and Jack Roeser is socially-conservative … Matt Kibbe - a leader at national Freedom Works - he’s on our campaign.
We have some of the most conservative folks in the state, and some of the most socially-moderate and socially-liberal Republicans in the state. “I respect everyone’s views, and my point is that we have to unite to win. I’m not going to change your views, and you’re not going to change my views.
The reality is that the right for a woman to choose is a national law. That’s not going to change in Illinois. I think we can agree on some common sense ways for abortion to be more rare and safe. I support parental notification, I support late term restrictions. I strongly encourage adoption as a far better alternative to abortion. There are things we can agree on and try to get it done.
But I am one who believes — I just think it’s better that a woman, her physician, her family and her minister and priest make the decision better than the government. That’s my view. You may not agree with me, I respect that.
