Dan Rutherford

Dan Rutherford
Treasurer of Illinois
In office
January 10, 2011  January 12, 2015
Governor Pat Quinn
Preceded by Alexi Giannoulias
Succeeded by Mike Frerichs
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 53rd district
In office
2003–2011
Succeeded by Shane Cultra
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 87th district
In office
1993–2003
Personal details
Born May 26, 1955
Pontiac, Illinois, U.S.
Political party Republican
Alma mater Illinois State University
Religion Methodism

Dan Rutherford is an American politician. He served as Illinois Treasurer from January 2011 through January 2015. Prior to his term as Treasurer, he served as a Republican member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 53rd district, from 2003 to 2011, and in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1993 to 2003.

Early life and education

Rutherford was born in Pontiac, Illinois.[1] During elementary and high school Dan Rutherford worked at his parent’s pizza restaurant.[2] and attended Pontiac Township High School. Following high school, Rutherford attended Illinois State University. While at Illinois State University, Rutherford was elected Student Body President.[3]

Business career

While on a business trip to Japan in 1984, Rutherford became familiar with the ServiceMaster Company. One year later, he joined the Downers Grove, Illinois-headquartered company as an executive. Rutherford eventually became responsible for expansion of the company's businesses internationally, licensing services in Chile, Brazil, Honduras, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Guam, Venezuela, South Africa, Spain, and a host of other countries. ServiceMaster is a family of service companies with trade names such as ServiceMaster clean, Terminix, Tru-Green Chem Lawn, Merry Maids, American Home Shield, and Rescue Rooter.

Political career

1980 Reagan campaign

Dan Rutherford's public service career began following his graduation from Illinois State University as a legislative assistant in Springfield. In the GOP (Republican) Primary of 1980, Rutherford (then 24 years old) coordinated a congressional district for Governor Ronald Reagan's campaign. Rutherford's work in coordinating that congressional district earned recognition from the Reagan National Campaign and he was subsequently tapped to serve as the Executive Director for the 1980 Reagan-Bush campaign.

Illinois General Assembly

In 1993, Rutherford was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. Rutherford eventually became Assistant Republican Leader.

Following 10 years of service in that body, in 2002, Rutherford was elected to represent Illinois' 53rd district in the Senate. In the Senate, Rutherford served as the ranking Republican for the Financial Institutions Committee and was a member of the Environment & Energy Committee. Senator Rutherford also served on the bi-partisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

As a lawmaker, Senator Dan Rutherford sponsored and directed legislation which changed the formula for reimbursing nursing homes for care of the elderly. The new system bases rates on the medical needs of the resident, rather than just their geographic location in the state.

Political campaigns

2006 Illinois Secretary of State campaign

On September 12, 2005, Rutherford officially announced his campaign for the office of Illinois Secretary of State. Rutherford faced incumbent Democrat Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, of Jesse White Tumbling Team fame, and Green Party candidate Karen Young Peterson,[4] in the November, 2006 election, but lost to Jesse White.

2010 Illinois Treasurer campaign

Rutherford won the open seat of Illinois Treasurer. Also running were Democratic nominee Robin Kelly, Green Party Party nominee Scott K. Summers and Libertarian nominee James Pauly.

2014 Governor

On June 2, 2013, Dan Rutherford officially announced his candidacy for Governor of Illinois.[5] His running mate was attorney Steve Kim.

Rutherford lost in the 4-way GOP primary to businessman Bruce Rauner with 7.55% of the vote.

Personal

Dan Rutherford has never been married. He has crewed in many Chicago-to-Mackinac Island races and is an Advanced Certified Diver. Dan Rutherford has traveled to all seven continents.[6] His favorite food is pizza.[7]

Electoral history

References

  1. "Meet Dan Rutherford". Associated Press. Illinois State Treausrer. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  2. "About Dan Rutherford". Associated Press. Illinois State Treasurer. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  3. Bond, Brendan (January 1, 2014). "Fun Facts V: Dan Rutherford". Associated Press. Reboot Illinois. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  4. http://www.voterinfonet.com/sub/view_all_candidates.asp
  5. Dan Rutherford Running for Governor 2014 June 2, 2013
  6. Bond, Brendan (January 1, 2014). "Fun Facts V: Dan Rutherford". Associated Press. Reboot Illinois. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  7. Marcus, Judy (March 6, 2014). "The favorite meal of Republican primary candidate Dan Rutherford". Associated Press. Sugar Buzz Chicago. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  8. http://elections.chicagotribune.com/results/

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Alexi Giannoulias
Treasurer of Illinois
2011 - 2015
Succeeded by
Mike Frerichs