In this Jan. 16, 2014 photo, businessman Bruce Rauner, a Republican candidate for Illinois governor in 2014, speaks during a candidate business forum in Mount Prospect, Ill. After months of owning the airwaves and raising millions more than his three opponents in the Republican primary for governor, Rauner, a political newcomer, could be about to face his toughest rival yet: Illinois? well-funded and politically powerful labor unions. Officials from several unions said they are close to launching coordinated attacks against the wealthy businessman, who has made standing up to ?union bosses? a primary theme of his campaign and his prolific advertising. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Republican gubernatorial candidate and Illinois businessman Bruce Rauner wants to set the record straight: He's not just part of the one percent, he's part of the .01 percent.

"Oh I'm probably .01 percent," Rauner said Friday, in an interview with the Chicago-Sun-Times.

The candidate, who is considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to challenge Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D), has a net worth of close to nearly $1 billion. He made $53 million in 2013 and owns nine homes.

Rauner has put $6 million into his campaign, which is a record for personal funding in an Illinois governors race.

Though Rauner could buy all of the most expensive watches in the world and still have the money to purchase a 10th residence, he chooses to wear an $18 model to signify that he doesn't need to advertise his wealth outside of newspaper interviews.

Recent polling shows Rauner ahead of his Republican rivals for the nomination.