Gov candidate Bruce Rauner announces Evelyn Sanguinetti as running mate

October 8, 2013 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- One of the Republican candidates for Illinois governor makes a surprise choice for his running mate. Bruce Rauner announced Tuesday that Wheaton City Councilwoman Evelyn Sanguinetti is his pick for lieutenant governor.

It was a huge surprise inasmuch as most of us had never heard of Evelyn Sanguinetti. In choosing her, candidate Bruce Rauner solidified his position as the outsider in the republican primary race.

"El cambio esta en camino. Change is on its way," said Evelyn Sanguinetti, candidate for Lieutenant Governor.

With 6'4" Bruce Rauner towering nearby, Florida- born Evelyn Sanguinetti-- all four feet, 11 inches of her-- could barely see over the microphones as her husband and three children looked on.

"My father was an immigrant from Equador, one of the poorest countries in the world. And my mother was a refugee from Fidel Castro's Cuba," said Sanguinetti.

The 42-year-old lawyer is a first-term City Council member in west suburban Wheaton. Rauner-- a super-rich Winnetka venture capitalist-- says the one-time assistant Illinois Attorney General-- and virtual statewide unknown-- will help him "shake up Springfield."

"She's lived the American Dream. She embodies everything that is wonderful about our great state and our great nation," said Bruce Rauner, candidate for governor.

Sanguinetti completes the GOP primary field. Treasurer Dan Rutherford chose Chicago attorney Steven Kim. State Senator Kirk Dillard chose Quincy State Rep. Jil Tracey and Senator Bill Brady named the former Long Grove mayor Maria Rodriguez.

Sanguinetti described herself as pro-traditional marriage and anti-abortion. But Rauner remains focused on improving the Illinois business climate.

"We should be in the top states as a place to do business, rather than the bottom five," said Rauner.

Sanguinetti was diagnosed with re-occuring multiple sclerosis in 2007, that she says she manages with two pills a day.

"I haven't skipped a beat and as you can see I am wearing some very nice, sporty heels today about three inches so it's never held me back," said Sanguinetti.

Mr. Rauner and councilwoman Sanguinetti made other campaign stops around the state. Another element in the surprise is the fact that Rauner chose a running mate from the Chicago area. He also is an unknown downstate and could use help there.

Get more Politics »

politics, charles thomas

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•