Trump Is Coming To UIC; Cruz And Kasich Will Also Speak In Illinois
By aaroncynic in News on Mar 4, 2016 10:39PM
Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Fresh off surviving a citizenship challenge earlier this week intended to kick him off the ballot, Cruz will appear at a fundraising dinner in honor of Gov. Bruce Rauner at the Palmer House. NBC5 reports tickets for the event start at $500 for a table, but big spenders can become a “gold sponsor” for $40,000, which includes 20 seats, a photo-op and a 1-year membership to the “governor’s council.” All the other contenders have been invited to attend the event.
Trump however, will be hosting his own event at the UIC Pavilion that night, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The real estate mogul, who made headlines Friday morning for making a dick joke at Thursday night’s GOP debate in Detroit, told the Sun-Times he loved the city and his hotel:
“I’m planning to give a speech and stay at my world famous hotel, the Trump Tower. I love Chicago. I love Mike Ditka. I love my hotel. . .the Trump Tower, which is No 1. We are No 1. No. 1. And how about my polls. Amazing, huh?”
He also took the chance to fire back at the Rickett’s family for bankrolling ads against him in Illinois. “I think the Ricketts family should be spending their time trying to develop a championship team and less time trying to demean Donald Trump,” he said.
Trump hosts a commanding lead over his rivals in the polls in Illinois, but they’re not ready to be counted out just yet. According to Politico, Ohio Governor John Kasich plans to make three campaign stops in the state, including hosting a town hall in Palatine. Cook County Republican Party Chairman Aaron Del Mar told Politico Kasich is the frontrunner for the organization’s endorsement.
Meanwhile Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s campaign says it believes they have a strong shot at Illinois, despite him not yet committing to making an appearance in the state. Rubio has the support of a handful of downstate GOP lawmakers, and hired Governor Bruce Rauner’s former campaign manager as a strategist. “We’re the only campaign activating a large volunteer army, calling Republican absentee ballot applicants and working friends and neighbors,” a spokesperson told Politico.