Rauner beefing up media team

WASHINGTON–Illinois GOP governor hopeful Bruce Rauner is beefing up his media team, adding Lance Trover, the Communications Director for Sen. Mark Kirk R-Ill., following a very rough patch in his primary bid.

Trover will be a senior communications advisor to the Rauner campaign, joining Mike Schrimpf, Rauner’s communications chief and former Republican Governors Association communications director.

Trover, now based in Washington, will move to Chicago to start his new duties next week.

Trover said his move does not change Kirk’s position that he will be neutral in the race between Rauner, Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford and state Sens. Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard.

Trover is a former spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party and the National Republican Senate Committee who has an extensive background dealing with Illinois media.