WBEZ looks at the GOP field
Monday, Jan 4, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tony Arnold at WBEZ took a look at possible Republican gubernatorial candidates. There are more names in the story, so click here…
“I’ve been encouraged by numerous people across the state to run for governor,” [state Sen. Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington] told WBEZ. “It’s not something I sought out to do. I have a young family which is my first consideration but I’m doing my due diligence in response to the encouragement that’s been made of me.” […]
Many of the Republicans on this list took some shots at Pritzker for this story. [US Rep. Rodney Davis], however, was the by far the most aggressive, calling Pritkzer’s tenure as governor an “unmitigated disaster.” […]
Though his role within the party has traditionally been to advocate for the Illinois GOP, [Illinois National GOP Committeeman Richard Porter] joked that he may have to be an adversary against his fellow candidates if he chooses to run. […]
A spokesman for Todd Ricketts did not comment, though multiple sources confirmed Ricketts is at least considering a run for governor. […]
[State Sen. Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo] would not comment on a possible gubernatorial run. Multiple Republicans told WBEZ Schimpf is taking a look at running.
* US Rep. Adam Kinzinger was also on the list. This is what he recently told the Tribune…
Traditionally, Illinois Republicans who have had success statewide have been more centrist. Kinzinger’s willingness to take on his own party has prompted speculation that he is positioning himself for higher office — perhaps a run against Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker or Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth in 2022.
But Kinzinger, a former Air Force pilot and Iraq War veteran who still serves in the Air National Guard, said he’s “not doing this to set myself up to run statewide.”
“I’m not going to rule anything out. But it’s really not anything I’m planning,” he said. […]
To be sure, Kinzinger has voted in support of Trump-backed legislation more than 92% of the time, according to a vote tracker run by FiveThirtyEight.com.
* Zorn’s predictions…
Former state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton will once again run for governor. Illinois U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger and State Rep. Darren Bailey of Xenia also will announce bids. If I were hedging my bets I’d include the possibility that Kinzinger will mount a 2022 run for the seat now held by Illinois U.S. Sen Tammy Duckworth.
* And, of course, newly retired Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady left the door open to a possible bid a while back. But considering that his December 31st retirement date allowed him to collect the 3 percent annual pension boost the very next day on January 1, maybe not. I have heard mentions of a possible US Senate run.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 9:55 am:
The republican party needs to understand they need to pull the same actions out of their hat that the democratic party did when faced with the ‘Larouche’ faction.
So far the Republican party doesn’t even seem to understand what’s happening.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 9:56 am:
For the love of Mike, Rich, it’s early January.
Can’t we give it a couple months before hearing from these candidates on how they’re going to “reform” the state’s pension system?
- Oak Parker - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 9:57 am:
Jim Oberweis probably has another run or ten in him
- Grimlock - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 9:58 am:
Anyone who was quiet or even supported Rauner’s destruction is in no position to judge Pritzker’s term.
- @realdjt - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:03 am:
Trumpsters will push Jeanne Ives over the finish line. DJT will campaign for her to attempt to stay relevant. More and more moderate suburban Republicans will begin the permanent shift to the Democratic Party.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:03 am:
Some I find interesting, some I find intriguing, some I find comical… some I find lacking.
They all seem monolithic, on a spectrum of “right”, to “far right” to full-Rauner or full Trump.
None, however, have my attention.
- The Captain - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:04 am:
Kinzinger’s Trump criticism is going to make it hard for him to get past a Republican primary if his opposition includes people like Bailey, Ives or even Ricketts so it might seem a path of less resistance for him to run for US Senate instead but once Jesse White retires I think Tammy Duckworth takes the reigns as the Democrats most unbeatable candidate. Kinzinger might be better off in a difficult Republican primary rather than an impossible general election.
- Davos - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:07 am:
=allowed him to collect the 3 percent annual pension boost the very next day on January 1=
Despite retiring on December 31st, he still must wait one year before he receives his first COLA.
- Just a guy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:07 am:
Rich - Are you certain that Brady can collect his 3% COLA the very next day. Reading the statute in question (40 ILCS 5/2-119.1), it looks like he is eligible for a COLA in the January following the one-year anniversary of their retirement date. January 1, 2022.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:14 am:
“I’ve been encouraged by numerous people across the state to run for governor.”
An important skill for any good leader is knowing that you should ignore the kooks.
– MrJM
- Collinsville Kevin - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:17 am:
Not exactly a stellar field. On the other hand, JB is very susceptible.
- Independent - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:17 am:
Ives and Bailey are fond of each other. One would step aside to unite the vote from the Trumpy wing of the party. Kinzinger would probably be better off waiting for Durbin to hang it up and hoping the Democrats nominate another Alexi-type.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:19 am:
Someone please give Ives and Bailey money.
I can’t wait to watch that show.
- JS Mill - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:19 am:
==allowed him to collect the 3 percent annual pension boost the very next day on January 1==
Brady, making sure he is a total hypocrite. This is the man that was one of the early pension “reformers” and now he joins the swamp (/s) like the rest of us.
To the post- Barickman has long held gubernatorial aspirations and I would not rule out a shot at the US Senate either.
Please let Ives be the candidate. I promise I will be good if I am granted that one wish.
- Annoin' - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:27 am:
Capt Fax you omitted Lynn Sweet’s mention of IL’s favorite empty suit, Darrin LaHood. Was that intentional? Perhaps this explains why his day Ray gave a big lick job to Griffin funded anti Kilbride effort…The entire group remains lack luster
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:32 am:
Just A Guy is correct on the 3 percent.
- Just A Dude - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:45 am:
For a SERS retiree, you’ll need to wait until the next January after a full year passes to get your first 3% AAI. Could be different for a GARS retiree however.
- The Captain - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:55 am:
I’d be interested to see the results for a QotD something like this:
Which of these options do you think best fits your opinion of Governor Pritzker’s re-election chances:
- Pritzker is a significant favorite.
- Pritzker is a slight favorite.
- Tossup
- Pritzker is a slight underdog.
- Pritzker is a significant underdog.
- City Zen - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:57 am:
==Brady, making sure he is a total hypocrite.==
Per GARS website:
Annual Pension Increase (Tier 1): A 3% pension increase on January 1 or July 1 whenever occurs first following the first full year of retirement and age 60.
He may be a hypocrite for other things, but this is not one of them.
- Just a guy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 10:58 am:
Also, regarding Senator Righter retiring and being chosen as Chief of Staff - This move will have no impact on his GARS pension. He is already topped out in that system and will need to revert within SERS to add to his pensionable base.
- Just a guy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:00 am:
Vest within SERS*. So he would need to be Chief of Staff or state employee for 10 years to collect a SERS pension.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:03 am:
I’d be careful about wishing for Ives and Bailey winning the nomination. I thought Trump winning the nomination would be a good show in 2016. It turned out to be another episode of the Twilight Zone.
- BeenThereDoneThat - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:05 am:
One wonders what promises Barickman extracted from McConchie to help put together Brady’s ouster. He’s taken some great General Election votes (eg gay marriage) that could hurt in a Primary unless “Leader” McConchie keeps the far right social conservatives at bay. Interesting times.
- Animus - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:18 am:
—Trumpsters will push Jeanne Ives over the finish line. DJT will campaign for her to attempt to stay relevant. More and more moderate suburban Republicans will begin the permanent shift to the Democratic Party.—-
Trumpsters may push Ives over the top in the Primary but no way does she win in the General, where her biggest threat will be Jeanne Ives.
Also of note, any ‘Seditionist’ Republican will be unelectable in the general so they may want to tread carefully in the next few weeks.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:22 am:
First, “One election at a time”
Second, which of these souls can “run, nay, sprint to the middle” and still beat whomever the Dems have?
It should be rightly noted;
Kinzinger voted *against* Trump’s impeachment, and when it mattered, consistently and continually voted for Trump legislation/agenda items in the House.
Kinzinger is especially one… he has my curiosity, but has yet to get my attention.
- Bigtwich - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:23 am:
From the General Assembly Retirement System website.
“You will receive a 3% cost of living increase on January 1 or July 1 (whichever is applicable) following your first full year of retirement or attainment of age 60, whichever is later.”
- So_Ill - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:41 am:
==- Steve Rogers - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:03 am:
I’d be careful about wishing for Ives and Bailey winning the nomination. I thought Trump winning the nomination would be a good show in 2016. It turned out to be another episode of the Twilight Zone.==
Trump lost Illinois by 16 and 17 points respectively.
- Howard - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:54 am:
As a life long democrat I can tell you there are democrats that will support Kinzinger. If he can get out of a GOP primary for Governor he will be formidable. JB was dealt a bad hand and even though he has kept Illinois COVID number lower than most other states he should have handled downstate differently. Whereas Trump’s mistake was going all economy JB’s mistake was all COVID.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:01 pm:
=== As a life long democrat I can tell you there are democrats that will support Kinzinger.===
Really? Which ones? What group?
“Downstate” Dems?
To wholly dismiss Kinzinger’s outward support of Trump, refusing to impeach, as a clear example, it’s more than clear Kinzinger will hide his overwhelming support with Trump, and refusal to impeach will be a sticky subject, when in the primary Kinzinger will need to embrace his “I supported the President” and that will be in ads too.
I’m really-really looking forward to Kinzinger going about his business if he becomes a candidate. Still, its only my curiosity being enticed.
- Hard D - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:42 pm:
The Mayor of Orland Park Keith Pekau has been telling people he has Dan Proft and the IPI all lined up for his run. Now all he has to do is explain taking that $150,000 salary he pledged not to take.
- Howard - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:48 pm:
The same democrats that helped elected Thompson, Edgar, Ryan and Rauner. This state is a lot more competitive than most Democrats want to admit.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:50 pm:
=== The same democrats that helped elected Thompson, Edgar, Ryan and Rauner.===
Yeah, I’ve said that before. Those are/were Union folks.
You think Kinzinger is going to get Union help?
Which unions?
- Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:22 pm:
Howard-
You think Kinzinger can stay moderate in the primary and win???
Ives and Bailey are tailored-made for south of I-64. Either would beat him in a rout down here.
- Suburban Operative - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:24 pm:
IMHO Barickman would be a great Governor, but also probably the best R candidate for that position. Ives is a disaster, Porter has no appeal, and just not sure about Kinzinger. Barickman should campaign hard in the suburbs, take away any appeal Ives might have given her Wheaton residency. An endorsement from Dillard and others could go a long way in the suburbs.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:28 pm:
=== Barickman would be a great Governor===
LOL
Barickman was a Rauner enabler, so much so he voted against his district and Illinois State University while claiming his teaching at ISU.
Barickman is not only the wrong answer for Illinois, he was weak minded when he had to walk back *his own words* to what Rauner told him to say with school funding.
Barickman is a gift to Dems on the ticket.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:30 pm:
=== An endorsement from Dillard===
Ok, now you’re just trolling, lol
This is like saying “an endorsement from Edgar… “
How did that help Dillard?
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:44 pm:
Nobody listed there will beat Pritzger. Good grief if Ives gets nominations just count out Republicans for at least ten more years. Republicans need new blood and new faces. Pritzger has too much money and spends it. I don’t want Ricketts at all and I don’t think he would spend money. Kinzinger Would be great against Duckworth. I wonder if he would go for Secretary of State?
- Jibba - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:18 pm:
==They all seem monolithic===
Davis certainly is, but his special talent is to appear moderate and bipartisan, even though he is not. His brand of hucksterism might be just the ticket for the GOP.
- Eire17 - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:35 pm:
Dillard has the best shot if he decides to try one more time.
- Cream of Wheaton - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 11:42 pm:
Considering Jeanne Ives lost to Casten by 9100+ votes in her home township of Milton in November does not makes her not a viable candidate.