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Motorcycle Group Pulls Rauner Endorsement

Bruce Rauner
Amanda Vinicky
/
NPR Illinois
Gov. Bruce Rauner arrives at the Republican Party rally on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 2017.

Days before the election, a leading motorcycle group is rescinding its endorsement of Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.

ABATE of Illinois' political action committee says it’s disappointed in a recent executive order from the governor.

Issued last week, the order is aimed at expanding opportunities for developing self-driving cars in Illinois.

ABATE warns that the current technology isn’t good enough to spot bikers and prevent collisions.

In a statement, it says the governor's actions “represent a danger to the lives of motorcyclists.”

It also says Rauner’s executive order is a “serious departure” from what was previously communicated to the group.

Riding motorcycles has always been a big part of Rauner’s political persona.

He launched his reelection campaign with a video that featured him riding a Harley. And this weekend, he showed up to President Trump’s southern Illinois rally wearing an ABATE sweatshirt.

The Rauner campaign did not respond to a request for comment on ABATE’s decision to rescind its endorsement.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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