Gov. Bruce Rauner announced in a new campaign ad released Monday morning that he is running again.

Narrating the two-minute online video, Rauner said he’s accomplished a lot for education and criminal justice, but there’s still big things that remain unfinished.

“Illinois still needs property tax relief, real term limits and a budget that won’t bankrupt or break us,” Rauner said.

He also said he will work to reverse the recent $5 billion income tax increase that lawmakers imposed on the state when they overrode his veto.

Rauner’s recent approval of taxpayer-funded abortions and the so-called Sanctuary State legislation did upset many in his Republican base, so much so that there have been calls for another Republican to run against him in the primary.

Republican State Central Committeeman Fred Floreth said whatever happens at the primary should stay at the primary.

“That’s where it should be settled,” Floreth said, “but an independent candidate, I’ve heard that idea being floated around, that’s just going to ensure the election of a Democrat.”

The primary is March next year. Only one name has officially been announced. Floreth said he doesn’t think Chicago’s William Kelly is getting enough traction to be considered a true challenger, but there could be others that come out to challenge Rauner. Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, has said she is considering a run in the GOP primary.

But it’s not just about the primary. It’s also about which party will control the legislature.

In the video, Rauner said people told him it was crazy to think he could change Illinois.

“‘The [Michael] Madigan machine is just too strong,’ they say,” Rauner said. “‘It will never go away. It will never fail to fail us.’”

Rauner said he isn’t throwing in the towel and chooses to fight.

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