CHICAGO (AP) — Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner says his two-day trip across Illinois “has nothing to do with the election” even though it’s being paid for out of his campaign fund.

Rauner spoke Tuesday in Bloomingdale before flying to stops around Illinois.

His tour comes after several Democrats in recent weeks announced they’re running for governor in 2018.

Rauner refused to say he’s running for re-election, saying it’ll be “discussed later on.” He insists the tour as simply “communication with the people of Illinois.”

In December, Rauner put $50 million into his campaign fund. Tuesday morning his campaign sent an email asking supporters to donate money to help “as we prep for this trip.”

Some Democratic rivals criticized Rauner’s travels. Billionaire J.B. Pritzker said Rauner is “putting politics ahead of doing his job.”