Bruce Rauner's Wife Says She's A Democrat, But Mostly Gives To GOP Candidates

GOP Governor Hopeful's Wife Claims She's A Democrat

Republican businessman Bruce Rauner, who is running to unseat Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D), aimed to moderate his message in a new campaign ad featuring his wife, Diana, who says she is a Democrat.

In the TV spot, which was released Friday, the Rauners explain that they don't agree on everything, including politics. When Diana Rauner explains that she's a Democrat, Bruce Rauner emphasizes that he loves her regardless of her political affiliation.

And yet it appears that Diana Rauner's political contributions don't match up with her stated party affiliation. The Chicago Tribune reported Saturday that 77 percent of the more than $500,000 she's given since 1995 has gone to Republican candidates and causes. Ninety-one percent of her $238,150 in political donations since 2009 went to GOP candidates and conservative groups.

Rauner campaign spokesman Mike Schrimpf told the paper that Rauner "voted Democrat throughout the last decade and every time for Barack Obama" on the statewide ballot.

"If that doesn't make you a Democrat, I don't know what does," he added.

The candidate, who is a venture capitalist, owns nine homes and made more than $50 million in 2013. His wife serves as the president of a group advocating for early childhood services, but takes no salary for that work.

Diana Rauner voted in Democratic primaries in 2004, 2006 and 2008, according to election records, and gave $2,300 to then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2007 after he announced his presidential bid.

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