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* Candidates can start circulating nominating petitions in late July. That’s not far off. Is it surprising to you that we haven’t yet heard any Republicans floating their names for down-ballot statewide races?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 9:21 am

Comments

A lot of prospecting talk going around, along with “but don’t tell anyone I asked.”
The earlier petition dates are jarring and thrown the normal timing off a bit.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 9:46 am
Not Really. Why be a sacrificial lamb? 0.00% chance of winning would deter any serious candidate. GOP will have more DeVore’s coming out of the woodwork though.

Comment by Stephenson County Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 9:51 am
It is surprising they wouldn’t want to get on board with the juggernaut campaign of Sheriff James Mendrick.

Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 9:52 am
I’m not sure, to be honest. Between continuing Trump inanity and insanity at the top and ongoing municipal elections at the bottom, I’m not sure if there’s much oxygen left right now for there to really be much, if any, noise for statewide challengers just yet.

Comment by TJ Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 9:52 am
=== we haven’t yet heard any Republicans floating their names for down-ballot statewide races? ===

They’re all working for the feds now.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 10:46 am
=== Republicans floating their names for down-ballot statewide races ===
They’re all hoping to create a 51st state.

Comment by Siualum Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 10:53 am
The clueless Illinois Republican Party waited three plus years to file a challenge to the redistricting of the General Assembly and the Congressional Districts. It is hardly surprising that they are unprepared for petition circulating in the summer.

Comment by Timing is everything Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 11:09 am
There’s an excellent chance that Dems will win big in ‘26 as a backlash to Trump. Consequently, it would be a suicide run for Republicans to run statewide. The GOP will probably end up with some downstate secessionists on the ticket.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 11:18 am
==waited three plus years to file a challenge to the redistricting==

Lying about the SAFE-T Act is a full-time job.

Comment by Big Dipper Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 12:27 pm
The Game has changed because it is Trump and Musk who will decide who the statewide candidates in Illinois.

And their top target will be defeating Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Immigration and Crime will still be top GOP base issues in 2026, and Kwame is both strongly connected to his immigration roots and strongly connected to his racial identity.

This will be an inside track to the endorsements. They believe they can block states from suing to prevent a third Trump term.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 1:19 pm
I have had folks on Nextdoor supporting Irvin’s opponent say the reason the Democratic party has targeted that race, is they are worried Irvin will run for Senate. When I point out if the Illinois Democratic party has concerns about losing Durbin’s Senate seat in a midterm election in Illinois, they have bigger issue, they stick to their story.

If Jim Marter manages to win a school board seat in Oswego 308, I suspect he will run statewide for something since he has run for so many things in the past. He might reguardless.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 1:29 pm
Who among them has a path to 25?

Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 2:36 pm
Why bother wasting effort trying to build grassroots support with the GOP base when it all comes down to whoever Trump and Musk choose to anoint?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Apr 1, 25 @ 3:28 pm