Pro football’s domestic violence investigation has found its way into the gubernatorial race in Illinois.
One of the candidates, Republican Bruce Rauner, is a part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A reporter at Rauner’s news conference about ethics used the occasion to ask about Rauner’s opinion of how the National Football League has handled it. Rauner passed up the chance to express himself, saying instead he has not spoken with the Steelers in months and that getting elected to “transform our government so it’s run for the people again … is 100 percent my focus.”
That’s all the motivation Democrats needed to stage a conference call asserting Rauner’s record on domestic violence will be a dim one. “There would be less in terms of resources” for educational and social programs if the income tax rate rolls back to 3.75 percent, as it is scheduled to, said Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon. “Without more specifics from him, I would assume there will be cuts in every area in which we don’t have a defined obligation.”
Simon, who is now running for comptroller, is a former prosecutor of domestic violence cases.
Rauner’s holdings also include pieces of basketball’s Chicago Bulls and baseball’s Boston Red Sox.