State Rep. Jeanne Ives has told friends and supporters that she is circulating petitions to challenge Gov. Bruce Rauner in the 2018 Republican primary.

“Today my team and I are taking the first step towards restoring common sense in Illinois,” Ives wrote in the email, shared by her campaign. “There is little trust between most Illinoisans and their government at many levels — and for good reasons. Top political leaders have lied to the people about who they are and what they are going to do — and they continue to make promises we cannot keep. Public corruption is an everyday event across the state. Many Illinoisans have simply decided to leave for better opportunities elsewhere.”

Ives said in the email that she had chosen Rich Morthland, a farmer, former state representative and community college professor from the Rock Island area, as her running mate.

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Rauner had angered many in the Republican party this summer when he signed House Bill 40, a measure that allowed abortion coverage for Medicaid recipients and state employees, as well as stipulating that abortion would stay legal in Illinois if the Roe v. Wade decision were to be overturned.

Ives said her campaign chairman is Chris Cleveland, the current Chicago GOP chairman.

Ives is a West Point graduate and former Army officer who was elected to the House in 2012. She is a former member of the Wheaton City Council.

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