* August 3rd…
Former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran on Saturday finally conceded last November’s election to John Idleburg, a Zion Democrat, two days into a four-day recount of selected precincts that he had sought.
The three-term incumbent Republican was ousted by 137 votes out of 245,633 that were cast as a Democratic wave swept the suburbs.
* A few days later…
Former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran will seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate next year in hopes of challenging Sen. Dick Durbin in the November 2020 election.
Curran said Wednesday he will formally kick off his campaign Aug. 15 at the Illinois State Fair.
Curran, 56, of Libertyville, said he was encouraged to run by people in the state Republican Party, in part because there are concerns no other strong candidates will emerge to oppose Durbin’s bid for a fifth term.
“I think you’ll basically see I have all the support of the party,” he said. […]
Four other Republican candidates have declared: Peggy Hubbard, Dean Seppelfrick, Omeed Memar and Robert Marshall, who ran for governor in 2018 as a Democrat.
* Tribune…
“I don’t have to do this,” Curran said, adding he had spoken to U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood of Peoria and former U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren of Plano about a run.
“The consensus is I would be a Tier One candidate,” he said, noting his suburban background could help Republicans in a region that is shifting Democratic. […]
He said he was not opposed to universal background checks to purchase a firearm but contended issues involving mental health and video games are more significant in dealing with gun violence than attempting to ban high-power weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Curran said there are a lot of “societal problems causing this violence” such as “destruction of the family and glorification of violence.”
“There’s a connection to the sanctity of life, that you could kill a baby in a partial-birth abortion,” he said. “That’s why we’re in trouble on so many fronts.”
- Anon E Moose - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:02 am:
Nope. There’s no connection. It’s been studied over and over again.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2019/02/15/new-study-shows-that-there-is-no-link-between-violent-video-games-and-aggression-in-teenagers
- Gooner - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:05 am:
Talking about abortion is a certain path to victory in Illinois. /snark/
These guys (and yes, the vast majority are male) need to get out of echo chamber. What they are doing is great for purity but terrible for winning state-wide.
- So_Ill - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:10 am:
The delusion is strong with this one…
- Alrighty then - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:12 am:
Dr. Tom Tarter is also running …
http://www.tarterforsenate.com/
- OutOfState - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:12 am:
=== that you could kill a baby in a partial-birth abortion===
Fact check: Partial-birth abortions were banned by Congress in 2003.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:15 am:
==but contended issues involving mental health and video games are more significant in dealing with gun violence than attempting to ban high-power weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.==
Is Curran unaware that video games are also sold in every other country on earth? Normally I’d say that any functioning adult has to know this, but the quality of republican political candidates in this state has deteriorated substantially in the past 25 years.
- efudd - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:16 am:
Video games. 2019 and these people still want to blame mass murder on…..video games.
Don’t forget about rap music, Marilyn Manson, and single parent households.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:18 am:
Curran is/was pretty progressive on immigration reform, which could have helped him in a general election and might even have contrasted well against Durbin, if positioned well.
But I’m sure he’d rather not mention that until the primary is over.
- efudd - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:19 am:
The pragmatist in me wants to believe this guy doesn’t really believe this claptrap, but is simply vying for the right-wing base he will need in the primary.
The paranoid in me wants to believe he actually believes this, like a number of the GOP do.
The paranoid is winning.
- JS Mill - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:20 am:
=“I think you’ll basically see I have all the support of the party,” he said.=
And pretty much no one else. Good luck with that.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:21 am:
“There’s a connection to the sanctity of life, that you could kill a baby in a partial-birth abortion”
“Don’t forget about rap music, Marilyn Manson, and single parent households”
With the GOP and right wingers, it’s anything but guns and ammo. Lots of people are 2A supporters, including me, and are among those who want more gun safety, including banning assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.
- a drop in - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:26 am:
I am going way out on a limb and predict if he gets the Republican nod he will not be within 137 votes of Sen. Dick Durbin in November.
- anonymous nickname - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:27 am:
When I saw he announced I thought “hey, that’s someone who might not be a complete embarrassment for the GOP”… but now that I’ve read a few early quotes…
- OneMan - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:31 am:
It’s the Grumpy Old Man platform, that will work this time for sure.
Dang kids and their droopy pants and video games and don’t even get me started about that Twisted Sister, and that Snoppy Dog Dog guy at the state fair. I am telling you more square dancing and less jazz is the answer.
- Education First - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:31 am:
Let’s remember that Curran began his “political” career as a Democrat. Who cares if the republican party likes him? Women who want control of their own bodies won’t. That in and of itself will cause him to loose.
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:32 am:
He left out mothers working outside of the home. Can’t forget to court the June Cleavers of the world.
- A Jack - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:32 am:
Blagojevich tried a video game ban law back in 2004. It failed on First Amendment grounds. Blagojevich and his law cost Illinois around $500,000 in legal fees. Blagojevich tried to hide the fees in various agency budgets including DCFS.
- Colin O'Scopy - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:34 am:
I think Curran meant to say that he would be a “pier 1″ candidate. As in “take a long walk off a short pier”.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:34 am:
Mark who?
- Wensicia - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:41 am:
In 2008, Curran switched parties two years after he was elected Lake County Sheriff as a Democrat. He claimed his conscience would not let him stay with the “party of corruption”, not long after Blagojevich was arrested. Yet, he’s willing to work with a Republican party supporting a corrupt president?
Good luck trying to win votes in 2020.
- siriusly - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:41 am:
He is a interesting dude. Give him more spotlight, more scrutiny - fun things will happen. Even some Lake County republicans are happy he’s not the sheriff anymore.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 10:47 am:
Tier 1? A guy who lost a county office? Tier 1 would be a sitting or retired congressman, a sitting or retired statewide office holder, maybe a well-known state senator or even a well-known businessman. But a former county sheriff who lost his last election as a tier 1 candidate? No way.
- Demoralized - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 11:02 am:
==than attempting to ban high-power weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.==
So you think we shouldn’t do anything about those? There isn’t a legitimate reason in the world for anyone to have either one of those, especially magazines that can hold dozens of rounds of ammunition. The Dayton shooter had a drum that held 100 rounds. Why is anytyhing like that legal?
- Nick Name - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 11:07 am:
I’m surprised he also didn’t vow to kick Chicago out of the state.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 11:11 am:
“So you think we shouldn’t do anything about those?”
That’s not my position at all—just the opposite. That 100 round drum needs to go. Its purpose is to inflict mass casualties.
- NoGifts - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 11:11 am:
“The consensus is I would be a Tier One candidate,” in other words, as we’ve become accustomed to hearing from our top national official “many are saying” or “i’ve heard a lot of people say” LOL
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 11:33 am:
==I’m surprised he also didn’t vow to kick Chicago out of the state.==
It’s coming. Ronna Romney (oh wait, McDaniel - sorry, I forgot trump made her change her last name) will call as soon as he becomes “Tier One”, and then he’ll have to go full MAGA and support kicking Chicago out of IL.
He should too, it’s a good gig - sheriff David Clark made a pile of money doing the exact same thing. Curran will need to buy the big cowboy hat, though
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 11:34 am:
Does Curran know that cannabis isn’t legal to smoke yet? Put the joint down, ex-sheriff.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 12:23 pm:
Misquoted.
Curran actually said, “If I’m Durbin’s opponent, he’ll tier me a new one.”
– MrJM
- Michael Westen - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 12:35 pm:
Over/Under on the number of counties Durbin wins. I say 92.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 1:36 pm:
MrJM at 12:23 –
Well played, sir.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 1:37 pm:
- @misterjayem - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 12:23 pm:
Misquoted.
Curran actually said, “If I’m Durbin’s opponent, he’ll tier me a new one.”
– MrJM
Misterjayem…by a knockout.
- McGuppin - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 1:51 pm:
@Michael Western. Under 92 counties that Durbin wins….but I’ll take the over 62%.
- Tommydanger - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 2:00 pm:
The fact that you have to say you are a Tier 1 candidate pretty much proves you are not a Tier 1 candidate.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 2:12 pm:
Does he know he’s running for a state wide office?
- Jocko - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 2:59 pm:
Apparently former members of the Washington Generals are trying their hands at Illinois politics.
How many more canards are left before admitting that access to semi-automatic weapons (adapted from military use) and high capacity magazines might play a prominent role in mass shootings?
- VerySmallRocks - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 4:14 pm:
I think Curran meant to say “Pier One” candidate…Who will be the Pottery Barn candidate?
- HardToKnow - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 7:20 pm:
Curran was an undistinguished prosecutor passed over for promotion who was elected Lake County Sheriff for three reasons: 1) he campaigned hard; 2) he ran as a Democrat when Obama won in 2008 and 3) his opponent faced allegations of corruption. Curran is a religious conservative who believes the right-wing talking points. Hard to see him winning a US Senate seat. But most didn’t think Trump would be president either.
- Anono - Monday, Aug 12, 19 @ 9:45 pm:
== “Curran, 56, of Libertyville, said he was encouraged to run … in part because there are concerns no other strong candidates will emerge” ==
Did a strong candidate emerge? Still don’t see one on the R side of this race.
- ela observer - Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 12:50 am:
Republicans in the 1950s were sure that COMIC BOOKS caused “juvenile delinquency.” Video games causing real world violence is in the same “logical” continuum.