All at the last minutes, but the slots are being filled with good candidates.
Lemont state Sen. Christine Radogno likely will seek the Republican nomination for Illinois treasurer, allowing the GOP to round out its statewide ticket.
For those of you keeping track at home, the GOP ticket is shaping up like this (credible candidates only):
- Governor: Brady, Gidwitz, Oberweis, Rauschenberger and Topinka.
- LG: Poe and Wegman
- SOS: Rutherford
- AG: Umholtz
- Comptroller: Pankau
- Treasurer: Radogno and/or Weinberg
By my count, that's five sitting State Senators, one State Rep, a couple of County officials and some from the private sector. Given the state of the Illinois GOP two years ago, I'd say that's about as strong a ticket as I reasonably expected, although having Edgar at the top would have been nice. We're a little weaker in one spot than I'd like, but significantly stronger at SOS than I thought we'd be. All in all, I'm looking forward to 2006 - if the GOP can pull together.
When does Radogno's State Senate term expire?
Who is Weinberg?
Radogno is mid-term, so this won't impact her Senate seat. Weinberg is an accountant from somewhere in the 'burbs. There's talk that Weinberg may step aside for Radogno.
Here is a little information about Shiela Weinberg.
thanks IP.
oh and who is Wegman? (geez I am out of the loop).
Sandy Wegman, Kane County Recorder.
IP-
Which spot do you consider weak?
Radogno would make a great treasurer. Keen fiscal mind, pro-reform record, good grasp of numbers. Of all the GOP statewide candidates, she probably has the best chance of pulling off a win.
IP you do do a good job on this site getting info. thanks
Treasurer as an open seat is our best shot.
Dan Rutherford will Shock the world. He's the future of the party.
Jose, I'm a fan of Rutherford's. He's the hardest working man in Republican Politics.
Jessie will be tough to beat. But if anyone can - Rutherford can!
Jesse has a world of hurt coming to him. He's never run against Dan Rutherford before!
Dan the Man is going to kick Jesse in the can.
Lets hope. We Need Dan Rutherford.
I like that Rutherford guy. I read an awesom article about him in the aurora beacon.
Dan is good be ready to work winning that race won't be about him but about beating an older Obama, Jessie is an incumbent without the star power
Which spot do you consider weak?
I think AG is a little weak, but I consider Madigan to be their strongest incumbent, so that's a big reason why. It's not that Umholtz is a bad candidate (I know very little about him) but I think it would take a potential superstar to dislodge Lisa Madigan, and Umholtz isn't a superstar. Right now, looking at the ticket, I think every other race is winnable given the candidates we currently have and the current political climate. I don't think any Republicans can be considered favorites, but we have at least a decent chance in almost every statewide race, which is a vast improvement over 2002.
Jesse is way beatable . . . and he has no clue as to what is going on in his office. To wit: the recent arrests in his office.
Maybe he should focus more on his statewide office. No doubt Rutherford, just through shear determination, will give Jesse all he wants and will win it in the end.
Pankau has a shot at beating Dan Hynes? That's news to me, she can't even tell us why she's running against him.
Wegman by far is the weakest of the candidates. She was an Elgin library trustee for years and tried deperately to get into higher office until finally she won the Recorder spot. She's an ardent right-winger, to the point of being stupid about it.
For example, she ran as being a good steward of the taxpayer's money and that she would hold the line against any tax increases. So, as a library trustee, she would vote "no" to the annual levying of taxes. Had there been more like her on the board, and they voted to not extend the levy, the library would not have been able to collect any tax revenue and would have to shut its doors.
I think somebody must have finally woke her up to the fact that she wasn't voting to increase taxes, just to collect them at the rate set by law, and the last year or two she was on the board she voted "yes" to the levy.
As long as that race flies under the radar, which it probably won't for very long, she may have a shot, but only if her skeletons remain hidden.