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* Rep. Mike Coffey (R-Springfield) appeared on Sam Madonia’s Springfield morning show today…
Madonia: All right. Darren Bailey, what are you going to do?
Rep. Coffey: You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to worry about Mike Coffey and the 95th District. That’s what I’m going to do.
Madonia: You know, I don’t think—I really don’t think—the Republicans can win the governor’s office. But I think with a legitimate, serious candidate and enough money, it could be closer than people think. Yeah, I really do. Mike, I think there are a lot of people, even in the burbs, a little concerned with the direction the state is going. I think taxes could be an issue raised with people, public safety could be an issue. The sanctuary city—I don’t really care what those polls are showing. You may not like the messenger, but are you okay with the message? I don’t think JB Pritzker is beatable, but I think Republicans could really make a much closer showing. But Mike, nobody’s going to do it. Nobody wants to go out there and spend all that money and time and effort and say, “Oh, you ran a good race. You came within five or six points.” They’re not going to do it. So it doesn’t look good for Republicans at the state level. […]
Coffey: Hey, I’ve got a great candidate: Tony McCombie. I would love for her to run for statewide office. I think she’s very dynamic. She’s a great female leader, she’s smart, she’s a great people person, great campaigner. I’ve encouraged her. But she wants to remain as the leader of the House Republicans. From my point and purpose right now, new to the House, I’m worried about those races—what we’re going to do, how we’re going to pick up seats. And we’ll see how the governor’s race shakes out. We don’t know what the political landscape is going to be over a year from now, and we’re just going to have to put out a good message. And we’ll see who comes out of the Republican primary and puts that message forward. […]
Madonia: Mike, but again, you’re not going to get anything until you get a legitimate candidate that has deep pockets, that can make a serious run. And at the state level, you tell me, it starts at the local level and you can make that argument. I’m not going to disagree. I think you have to have legitimate candidates who have a chance, and there’s nobody in the bullpen. I can make an argument that you would be as good a candidate for statewide office as anybody I’ve heard mentioned.
Coffey: Yeah, and that’s a problematic state of affairs.
Madonia: No, it is. Because you’re one term. I think you’ve done everything you need to do. You return calls, you’re running the office, you’re speaking the language. People listen to you and say, whatever party they agree with—property taxes are too high, we’re a high-tax state, we should not have been a sanctuary state, and so on and so forth. That would resonate. But there aren’t a lot of people in the Republican elected hierarchy right now that share your opinion.
Coffey: Well, and I will tell you, in politics in general, it’s become so divisive. And in order to be in it, they want me to say something bad about you. And I don’t think people—the general public—likes that real nasty politics. And so it’s driven a lot of people off. Because if you’ve got a good job and you’re successful and you’ve got the money to maybe, you know, put in a run for governor—all that, you know—why do you want to expose your family to it? You’ve got to be kind of a special person to want to do it. No, I understand—we need to. We need to fill in the ranks and get people running statewide. And hopefully, as we get people… you know, it’s not like you’re going to win these races in one cycle. You’re just not. I mean, we can get out there and say we’re going to win everything and tell you that—rah, rah, rah—but we’ve got to get people out there, get them exposed. Because it’s all about exposure. It’s all about name recognition. And we’ve got to get some candidates out there with name recognition.
* The Question: Which Republicans do you think could be viable statewide candidates? Make sure to explain your answer.
posted by Isabel Miller
Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:22 am
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There is not a Republican politician who can win statewide while Donald Trump is the president. The brand is just too toxic in Illinois. The Republicans’ best shot would be to go find someone like Mike Ditka, which underscores the non-seriousness of the GOP at the moment.
Comment by Garfield Ridge Guy Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:25 am
In 2026, no one.
But in general, almost no one too. In a general election, it would need to be a moderate who switched parties, and in a red wave - think someone like Richard Irvin, or other current Dems if they switched, like Rick Ryan, Patrick Joyce, or Angie Guerrero-Cuellar, who vote in line with Republicans more than Democrats on many key issues. But I don’t think any of them are switching parties, and they wouldn’t survive a Republican primary ever.
Comment by Chicago voter Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:31 am
Adam Kinzinger. He has a good story to tell and, while he is conservative, he has rejected and spoken out against the MAGA cult leader.
Comment by Remember the Alamo II Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:35 am
===He has a good story to tell===
He also moved to Texas.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:36 am
Or, alternatively, if Holly Kim, who used to be a Republican, switched parties, she could pull it off potentially if she had the money. It would have to be someone more libertarian, pro-choice, etc. Holly fits the bill.
She has a knack for connecting with people, especially Republicans it seems oftentimes, who enthusiastically support her every time she runs as a Dem.
Comment by Chicago voter Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:37 am
Those Republicans should be allowed to go about their official duties without political pressures from their right AND left flanks, but I believe there are more viable Republicans in local executive offices (mayors, countywides, etc.) who would do well statewide than there are in legislative government.
Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:40 am
==I believe there are more viable Republicans in local executive offices (mayors, countywides, etc.) who would do well statewide than there are in legislative government==
This, but those people tend to just stick to local issues and no one knows their positions more broadly. Once their true colors on state issues come out, they will no longer be people who would do well statewide because they would betray the vision of most Illinoisans.
Comment by Chicago voter Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:41 am
“I will tell you, in politics in general, it’s become so divisive. And in order to be in it, they want me to say something bad about you. And I don’t think people—the general public—likes that real nasty politics.”
I’m sick of Republicans saying this and then enthusiastically backing the most divisive president in US history. No Republican can say: We’re not going to win in Illinois until the end of the Trump Era. So they just throw up their hands and say “gosh golly, politics has just gotten so messy” and not admit that they caused this.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:42 am
Kirk Dillard would make a strong candidate.
Comment by ModerateGOP Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:45 am
= those people tend to just stick to local issues =
Well, yeah, because any venture into statewide issues and they get hit hard from their right flank and expose themselves to wedge issues from their left.
= betray the vision of most Illinoisans =
How can you know this if, as you say, those people tend to just stick to local issues?
Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:46 am
This is Kirk Dillard’s best shot at finally securing the gubernatorial nomination that has eluded him for so long.
Comment by Snark Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:47 am
I don’t think it’s possible because the pull of the Republican base is so out of whack with reality, any moderate would depress their turnout. So put Adam Kinzinger (just as an example) on a statewide ticked somehow and the right would tear him apart and probably run a 3rd party candidate.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:48 am
None. A moderate won’t get the support of the base. Irvin pandered to it, and look what it got him. A Bailey will never win enough of northeast Illinois, where the bulk of voters are. If CTU challenges Pritzker somehow, maybe that’s a few points off of his win. Unless something significant happens from the left, it looks great for DPI.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:48 am
=== He also moved to Texas. ===
Darn.
Comment by Remember the Alamo II Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:51 am
If you include winning the GOP primary? None.
The only guy on some level I can think of, and I doubt he could raise the money would be Dan Rutherford (yeah, that’s a name that doesn’t come up much)
But someone who could win a primary… no one at this point
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:53 am
I dunno, I read somewhere today that Bailey had executed a “strategic pivot.” Maybe he is the candidate.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:55 am
As a little bit of a nerd, I like Ted Dabrowski.
He has a great handle on the numbers, the law, the ethics/morals in Illinois, seems to be a good executive.
I also think he as a fantastic grasp on historical events from a conservative viewpoint.
I’m sure everyone here would appreciate his skills if they gave him a chance.
Comment by 40,000 ft Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:58 am
I think ArchPundit nails it. A moderate like Dillard or Kinzinger may attract some votes from the moderates, but they would be torn apart by the MAGA base.
Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 10:59 am
===seems to be a good executive===
https://capitolfax.com/2024/05/30/deficit-spending-reported-as-revenues-plunge-salaries-and-debt-increase/
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:00 am
= Irvin pandered to it, and look what it got him =
Unfortunately, Mayor Irvin gave up too much of himself to secure Ken Griffin’s money, campaigned for support from a governing conservative base that had multiple options - himself, Jesse Sullivan, and Paul Schimpf - and then a $50 million oppo buy very early in the cycle that really cleared a path for Bailey.
Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:01 am
=I’ve got a great candidate: Tony McCombie
I know Tony, she would get killed in a statewide election. The real Tony is center right. The elected Tony isn’t full maga but she has to be pretty far right to get elected as a republican.
=This is Kirk Dillard’s best shot at finally securing the gubernatorial nomination that has eluded him for so long.=
I agree and even voted for him when he ran against rauner in the 2014 primary. I thought he would have been a very good governor. His biggest problem as an ILGOP member is he was appointed to a board position by Pritzker. I think that shows his ability to work with everyone and get support. If you look at his endorsements during his two campaigns for governor, he has the most impressive set of bi partisan endorsements you will see for a republican. I mean when does the ISRA, NRA, IEA, and IFT support the same candidate? Maga will see him as a rino. He would be a good candidate and I think he could beat Bailey. For starters, Dillard knows how to pronounce “Illinois”.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:06 am
= He has a great handle on the numbers, the law, the ethics/morals in Illinois =
We must be talking about a different person.
Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:07 am
No one. The GOP voters, with Pritzker’s assistance, proved in 2022 that given the choice they will nominate the most unelectable candidate. And you can’t win the general without winning the primary.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:07 am
=His biggest problem as an ILGOP member is he was appointed to a board position by Pritzker.=
His prior support of Barack Obama might be a small problem as well.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:15 am
The only elected GOP member of the Assembly that wouldn’t look like, and speak like, a complete gomer that is from Southern Illinois is Windhorst.
But he’s smart enough not to volunteer for the annihilation.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:15 am
Dillard was the last Republican I voted for, even crossing over in the primary to do so. He will remain the last, and I won’t do it again.
Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:19 am
===If you include winning the GOP primary? None.===
The primary problem is the Primary. The secondary problem is the support so many GOPers have publicly expressed for Trump and his insane and inane policies (which are also constantly changing). Those statements of support are a gold mine for any opposition researcher.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:24 am
If your last hope for an electable statewide GOP candidate is Kirk Dillard you might as well nominate Jim Thompson.
Moderate Republicans, your only party left is the Democratic one. We welcome you.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:24 am
==Moderate Republicans, your only party left is the Democratic one. We welcome you.==
Unless you’re pro-life. Then they don’t want anything to do with you. Big tent party and all.
Comment by Bob Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:35 am
- Kirk Dillard would make a strong candidate. -
Yeah, running RTA into the ground really rounded out his resume.
If the republicans want to get serious I think Larry Dominick might be their best shot at a winning coalition.
Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:37 am
Interesting.
I’m winding down and liquidating two IL corps. The last few financials would look bad to a non.
(Also, those loans were for working capital, lol.)
They kicked out some good investigations on a small budget, and are obviously winding it down.
Ted’s voice is important and I hope he gets heard.
Comment by 40,000 ft Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:41 am
If Donald Trump can win 45% of the vote in Illinois (up from 38% and 41%) a Republican could win statewide.
The failures of progressive governance under Joe Biden, JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson as well as the worst approval for the Democratic Party in 30 years are there for all to see
It would be a lot fairer fight if the Democratic candidate wasn’t spending hundreds of millions of his fortune
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/chicago/news/donald-trump-illinois-election-performance-2024/
https://www.newsweek.com/democratic-party-approval-rating-hits-30-year-low-wsj-poll-2104572
Comment by Johnny B Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:43 am
Like the others above, I’m fairly sure the answer is ‘no one’. Nobody moderate enough to truly compete in the general election could make it out of a primary…
…unless they ran without any serious opposition, and ran down-ballot, where they’d be going for a foothold, not the top prize.
Say Comptroller. Mendoza is retiring, the two Democrats currently vying for the job aren’t household names, no Republican has expressed great interest.
My suggestion: a suburban Chicago mayor from the ‘[suburb] First!’ party makes a bid under the guise of ‘fiscal responsibility’. If they had a bit more experience, maybe a Scott Wehrli in Naperville or a Terry D’Arcy in Joliet. Whoever it is then focuses strictly on the boring technical aspects of the job, and of wanting to bring some measure of ‘balance’ to state government. They can talk about deliberately not going for top office to ‘pad their ego’, simply doing what they can to help a state they feel needs the help.
Simply by being sane and focused, they’ll do well in the suburbs, become the favorite of ticket-splitters, and of course clean up downstate. Is that enough? We’ll never know, because it’s not going to happen, but that’s the road map.
Comment by Concerned Observer Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:46 am
= Moderate Republicans, your only party left is the Democratic one. We welcome you. =
Nice sentiment, but it’s not in practice.
Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:48 am
Eventually, Greg Hart, the newly elected mayor of Hinsdale. In a different non-MAGA world, Tom Demmer should get back in the game again. It’s pretty bleak out there and it’s been more than a decade in the making…
Comment by Middle Way Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:50 am
=If your last hope for an electable statewide GOP candidate is Kirk Dillard you might as well nominate Jim Thompson.=
Don’t you mean Jim Edgar? Dillard worked for him.
Comment by Leatherneck Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 11:57 am
==In a different non-MAGA world, Tom Demmer should get back in the game again. ==
Same with David Welter, but after a blistering primary loss against a candidate with next to no funding, it’s clear that rural GOP primary voters don’t vibe with common sense. Granted that doesn’t represent the majority of the electorate. Alas, maybe we need ranked choice voting…
Comment by Chicago voter Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:03 pm
I could see someone like Rep. Ryan Spain having potential statewide, but not in 2026.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:03 pm
==If the republicans want to get serious I think Larry Dominick might be their best shot at a winning coalition.==
“Dominick 2028: You ask too many questions.”
Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:05 pm
===and are obviously winding it down===
lol
Since 2023?
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:06 pm
Agreed with others stating “none” for 2026. It’s simply not doable with Trump in office. Funnily enough, nominating someone like Bailey might be the responsible course for the ILGOP… a willing sacrificial lamb who won’t waste millions of dollars that could otherwise be spent on leg and local races, and will flame out in a 15+ point loss to demonstrate that a liberal republican is the only chance they have at a statewide win. And as for 2030 and beyond, the political landscape is anyone’s guess.
Comment by I-55 Fanatic Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:07 pm
===flame out in a 15+ point loss to demonstrate that a liberal republican is the only chance they have===
Not even a 50-point loss would convince the righties of this.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:09 pm
===If Donald Trump can win 45% of the vote===
Um, Trump took 43.5 percent of the vote in Illinois. You relied on old or faulty numbers. Always go to the official source
https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:11 pm
Demmer or Dillard would be viable candidates with support or anyone with a few billion $$ that wants to spend a couple hundred million (or more) and be a fiscal conservative and social moderate
Comment by NorthSideNoMore Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:11 pm
Illinois Democrats absolutely do not welcome moderate Republicans
They redistrict them out of office and then they move to Texas
Comment by Johnny B Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:14 pm
=Demmer=
In a word…No.
=Yeah, running RTA into the ground really rounded out his resume.=
He may own it because he has been chairman, but it wasn’t Dillard that did this on his own. It was 30 plus years of mismanagement.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:18 pm
- “Dominick 2028: You ask too many questions.” -
LOL
Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:25 pm
If he’s a candidate, Kirk Dillard will be approaching the record held by Lar “America First” Daly…..
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:29 pm
- but it wasn’t Dillard that did this on his own. It was 30 plus years of mismanagement. -
10 of those with him in the big seat. And he presided over blowing relief money on operating costs, not to mention his $500k ad campaign that only served to p#ss off legislators.
His time has passed.
Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:29 pm
==Bailey had executed a “strategic pivot.”==
Does that mean beetle turned around without falling on his face?
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:32 pm
The question: What Republican is delusional enough to think they can win a statewide race in today’s climate? And the ones that are usually aren’t worth a vote.
The Republicans need to focus on picking up a few more GA seats to try to escape the super minority and reclaim a seat at the table.
Comment by JSI Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:41 pm
== And he presided over blowing relief money on operating costs ==
That’s what the relief money was for.
Comment by StarLineChicago Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:44 pm
=His time has passed.=
And he is the closest to being able to challenge Pritzker. Says a lot about the ILGOP.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:44 pm
The moderate ILGOP ended on 12/10/2014. Ever since, it’s been right wing anti-union Illinois doomers or MAGA. Rauner/Griffin or Bailey. Extremists either way.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:45 pm
None.
The question was ‘which candidates could be viable’.
Anyone can rattle off a list of Republican names.
None of them are actually viable.
It’s like getting excited about the lineup of the Washington Generals.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:49 pm
=You may not like the messenger, but are you okay with the message? I don’t think JB Pritzker is beatable, but I think Republicans could really make a much closer showing. But Mike, nobody’s going to do it. Nobody wants to go out there and spend all that money and time and effort and say, “Oh, you ran a good race. You came within five or six points.” They’re not going to do it. So it doesn’t look good for Republicans at the state level. […]+
That sums it up. So the answer is No One. This is no longer a swing state where the GOP and DEMS could battle it out in close elections. Demographics have changed that.
Comment by Mason County Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:57 pm
Perhaps a GOP rich guy off the radar right now, folks seem to like guys without government experience.
Not a strong social conservative, does Bruce have a brother?
The challenge is in part running in the middle of a Trump term where plenty of moderate Republicans are going to like the idea of a Governor JB just as a bit of a counterbalance to Trumpism.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 12:58 pm
Folks, this is Isabel’s question, not mine, but it’s still my website. So stick to answering the question at hand. Thanks
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 1:02 pm
==Not even a 50-point loss would convince the righties of this.==
The more today’s Republicans lose an election by, the stronger the evidence of fraud in their eyes.
Which is good for a chortle at the state level but concerning as we approach November of 2026.
Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 1:04 pm
There’s not a “Big Tent” Republican Party anymore. You’re either totally MAGA or ostracized from the GOP. In Stephenson County they deposed the County Board Chair because he was “too moderate”. They even quit sending him meeting notices of GOP central committee meetings even Tho he was an elected precinct committeeman. Great way to build up a party.
Comment by Stephenson County Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 2:10 pm
To pick up enough votes in the suburbs to be viable statewide, a GOP candidate would have to:
1) stop attacking schools (including suburban schools that are top notch)
2) stop attacking libraries
3) actually organize to ostracize members of their party who are harassing or organizing harassment of school employees or library employees
4) disclaim Rauner’s stupid and destructive budget nonsense (which helped nobody and hurt everybody)
5) offer at least some plans that will improve the state and/or save money, but they can’t save money at the expensive of improving the state
A good platform could be making UIUC affordable for in-state students. Yeah, it costs some money now, but it pays dividends down the road with higher-earning workers. In fact, an “invest in education, make Illinois’s education system the envy of the world, for EVERY student” is a good platform. But it costs now, pays dividends later, and lord knows we don’t do that anymore.
Comment by Suburban Mom Tuesday, Sep 9, 25 @ 2:38 pm