Governor Bruce Rauner
Governor Bruce Rauner

WILMETTE, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says he’s “horrified” by the rhetoric of the presidential campaign.

The first-term Republican made the statement Monday during a session with students at Wilmette Junior High School in suburban Chicago.

A student asked him why young people should get involved in politics. The Chicago Tribune reports that Rauner responded saying he thinks the campaign rhetoric is “appalling” and “it’s ugly and it’s nasty and it’s weird.” Afterward, Rauner told reporters that he hasn’t made any endorsements and he has “tried to stay out of it” and is “trying to stay impartial.”

Rauner said last week that he would support the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, including if it is businessman Donald Trump. Trump has been in a heated race with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz from Texas.

 

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.