Republican primary voters might see a long list of candidates next year for Illinois governor.
Several potential candidates are already explaining why they would be the ideal candidate. But ask each one what the ideal GOP candidate looks like, and you’re likely to get a different answer from each.
“The perfect template of a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor needs to be a suburbanite with strong downstate roots,” said Kirk Dillard, a state senator who represents parts of Chicago’s Western suburbs in Springfield.
“I think some people that are looking at running again are going to have trouble getting that necessary support to run,” said U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock.
The Peoria Republican held a 20-minute news conference with Chicago reporters Thursday about the race for governor.
“I see the Republican primary voter as going to be looking at who has the best shot at winning the governor’s office,” said Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford.
State Sen. Bill Brady and venture capitalist Bruce Rauner are also considered potential candidates.
But despite the high level of interest, the chairman of the Illinois GOP, Pat Brady, said he wants to avoid a crowded primary. He said it’s premature to talk about the possibility of the party slating a candidate before the primary. But that process worked out for Wisconsin Republicans in the election of Scott Walker as governor.
Read More: http://www.wbez.org/news/politics/illinois-republicans-start-bickering-potentially-crowded-field-governor-105136
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