Governor-elect Rauner still reaching out to minorities in Illinois

Gov-elect Bruce Rauner

If I believe this column from Rich Miller, Bruce Rauner may not have won many minority voters in last week's election it may have still helped make him palatable to those who wouldn't normally vote Republican. Conventional wisdom suggests that if you win a significant amount of voters (I've frequently heard at least 20%) a Republican could win statewide in Illinois.

Regardless, Rauner who is the Governor-elect of Illinois who had engaged in outreach to Black communities especially here in Chicago - even going so far as to drive his old-beat up Volkswagen van to a credit union during the campaign on Chicago's south side - is still engaged in outreach. This time visiting a Black church in suburban Maywood and then visiting a bakery in a Latino neighborhood in Chicago

"The good Lord didn't make us Republicans or Democrats," Rauner told parishioners at the Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Maywood, where he had visited while campaigning against Gov. Pat Quinn. "The good Lord made us in his image to do the good Lord's work, to make the world a better place for all families."

Rauner said it was his third appearance at the church and that he "will be back many times."

Next stop on the thank-you tour was Nuevo Leon Bakery in Pilsen.

Rauner was joined by his running mate, Evelyn Sanguinetti.

"The people of Pilsen, the people of Little Village have been very warm to us, very amazing to us throughout the course of the campaign, and we just wanted to say thank you," Sanguinetti said. "This is not the last time you will see us. This is going to be such a great transition because we will be here often."

Rauner loaded up a tray of baked goods, picking a chocolate cupcake for himself, and posed for pictures with bakery workers and customers.

I would look forward to seeing his name in a resolution honoring a long-time eatery where he was frequently a guest. Hopefully one that serves ethnic foods because he believed in getting out there with the people where they were. Time will tell if he will be back in the community many times.