WATCH: Rauner says he was close to 'punching someone' in race

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner revealed to a small group in a private meeting that the closest he was to “punching someone” in the governor’s race came after a dust-up before last Spring’s Greek parade with Gov. Quinn’s camp. Quinn’s campaign says it doesn’t know what Rauner is talking about.

In a video of Rauner obtained by Early & Often, Rauner ramped up his rhetoric against Quinn. The video is from a July 26 closed-door event with supporters in Edwardsville. The Quinn camp, however, says it doesn’t know what Rauner is talking about.

Here’s what Rauner says:

“I was the only Republican in this parade. There were hundreds and hundreds of people in line. You know what Pat Quinn said: ‘Holy cow, Rauner’s coming after my base. You know, I’m out working ’em, I’m working ’em. He’s running around chasing me … he’s never been to a Greek parade in his life. He came to that parade because he said, “Uh-oh, Rauner’s taking my votes.’”

“You know what, they tried to, his people tried to kick me out of the parade. You know what, it’s the closest I’ve come to punching someone in this race. I said, I said I ain’t leaving this parade, this is not a Democratic parade, this is a Greek-American parade, and I’m working for every family in this state. You know what, I pushed those guys aside, we went to the front of that parade, high-fives and selfies all up and down. You know what, they were clapping and cheering. They loved every part of the message.”

Fact check: Quinn’s people say the governor has indeed marched in the Greek Independence Day Parade in the past. They say the governor did not order or attempt to kick Rauner out of any parade.

“The Governor has attended numerous Greek events in recent years and throughout his career, including the Greek Independence Day Parade in 2010 and most recently on March 30 along with his Greek-American running mate Paul Vallas,” says campaign spokeswoman Brooke Anderson. “Mr. Rauner has a history of making things up in his stump speeches and his negative attack ads, so we’re not surprised he is continuing that trend.”Asked for further explanation, Rauner’s camp provided little: “When our marchers arrived, many were told to leave where they were in the parade’s lineup,” Mike Schrimpf said in an email, but did not respond when asked by whom.

As far as attack ads, both campaigns have unleashed them onto each other.