Quinn picks up firefighters’ backing, resumes attacks on Rauner

SHARE Quinn picks up firefighters’ backing, resumes attacks on Rauner

One day after a nasty, gloves-off appearance with his Republican challenger, Gov. Pat Quinn Wednesday called himself a “humble man” who has no choice but to fight back against a belligerent opponent.

“I’ve been on the receiving end over the past year of millions of dollars of attack ads from my opponent,” Quinn said at a news conference downtown, as he picked up an endorsement from the Associated Firefighters of Illinois.

“I have to defend myself.”

Quinn accused GOP gubernatorial nominee Bruce Rauner of wanting to make “radical cuts in important things that matter to the people of Illinois,” including to fire services, education and health care.

“What we saw (Tuesday) in vivid detail is that my opponent doesn’t have a budget that balances,” Quinn said, as he stood surrounded by firefighters at Engine 42 firehouse at Illinois and Dearborn streets.

RELATED: Quinn, Rauner rip each other in pseudo-debate

Quinn and Rauner had faced off Tuesday in front of the Chicago Tribune editorial board in a particularly raucous session in which they raised their voices, talked over each other and traded barbed accusations.

At that meeting, Rauner had repeatedly likened Quinn to his imprisoned predecessor, Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

“The only difference between Pat and Rod is the hair,” Rauner said. “Those two are fundamentally the same when it comes to corruption, cronyism and patronage.” 

Quinn, meanwhile, had accused Rauner of building his wealth off the backs of the poor or disadvantaged and paying off various people to get personal benefits.

Wednesday morning, Quinn was back at it, mocking New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was appearing with Rauner Wednesday in Springfield.

Quinn said he thought Christie would have better things to do with his time.

“Every time he comes here, I get the impression he eats a box of nails and spends the rest of the day spitting them out at me,” Quinn said.

Meanwhile, Rauner was picking up his own stamp of approval from a public safety group. Rauner was endorsed by the Illinois State Police Command Officers Association.

His campaign issued a release saying it is believed to be the first time the group has issued an endorsement in a guberntorial contest.

Contributing: Natasha Korecki

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