Illinois Democrats won’t run unopposed for U.S. Senate seat

One last posting on the Senate race in Illinois. As I mentioned yesterday, nearly every potential Republican candidate that the state and national party wanted to run said no. Today we’re starting to see the leftovers stepping up to throw their hat in the ring.

The first and probably most formidable GOP candidate will be Jack Ryan, a former investment banker wealthy enough to finance his own campaign.

I have two irrelevant questions/concerns about Ryan. One, isn’t Jack Ryan the name of the protagonist in Tom Clancy novels like the Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games? And two, what is it with Illinois Republicans and the last name Ryan? First there was Governor George Ryan, then there was Attorney General Jim Ryan, now we have wealthy guy Jack Ryan. None of them are related.

Ryan won’t be the only GOP candidate. Roll Call reported today Chicago-area businessman Andy McKenna will be announcing his candidacy and state dairy entrepreneur Jim Oberweis has “established an exploratory committee.” Oberweis ran in the GOP Senate primary last year to take on Sen. Dick Durbin (D) but came in third. John Cox, a Chicago accountant and lawyer will also probably run, saying he’s “95 percent” sure he’ll give it a shot.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that former Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood, former State Rep. Jim Durkin and state Sens. Dan Cronin, Patrick O’Malley and Steve Rauschenberger are also considering running for the seat.

If you, too, are a Republican in Illinois and would like to add yourself to the ballot, be sure to contact the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.