O'Shea backs out of Senate race [Illinois]

Crain's Chicago Business ^ | 12/1/2003 | Kelly Quigley

[JohnnyZ]

O'Shea backs out of Senate race

Candidate says he lacked support, funds

The field of Illinois Democrats seeking to replace retiring Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald became a little less crowded Monday when Matt O’Shea, mayor of Downstate Metamora, announced he is dropping out of the race.

With just over four months until the primaries, Mr. O’Shea, 44, is the first Democrat to withdraw his candidacy. “I decided it would be best to drop out now, before my name is on the ballot,” he said.

Continuing to campaign didn't make sense when polls show he has just 3% to 4% of the vote, said Mr. O'Shea, who also acknowledged he lacks critical campaign funding. “My focus is going back to my family,” he said.

Mr. O’Shea will throw his support behind Gery Chico, and said he plans to help the former Chicago Public School Board president campaign in Downstate Illinois.

“The field has gotten very crowded,” he said. “Even if I can give Gery my 3% to 4%, he has a viable chance of winning this thing.”

More than a half-dozen other Democrats have announced their candidacy or are expected to run for the U.S. Senate seat. They include state Comptroller Dan Hynes, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, state Sen. Barack Obama, investor M. Blair Hull, health care advocate Joyce Washington, radio personality Nancy Skinner and retired coal miner Vic Roberts.

Despite his decision to drop out, Mr. O’Shea said he doesn’t regret his run for Senate. “It has been a learning experience that I will never forget.”

In October, GOP candidate and businessman John Cox became the first Republican to drop out of the race, leaving a flurry of rivals in his wake, including former investment banker Jack Ryan, businessman Andrew McKenna Jr., businessman James Oberweis and retired Air Force major general John Borling.

[JohnnyZ]

A little boost for Chico downstate. Probably helps to keep him in the top tier, for now.

This is a VERY interesting Rat primary. Wheels within wheels about who has support where and why. There are five candidates roughly in the first tier, plus a significant spoiler in Joyce Washington, which is a really amazingly divided field.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"This is a VERY interesting Rat primary. Wheels within wheels about who has support where and why. There are five candidates roughly in the first tier, plus a significant spoiler in Joyce Washington, which is a really amazingly divided field."

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I just hope and pray that gazillionaire Hull can buy enough votes (especially Downstate, where Hynes needs to get his margins) to either win the primary himself or else throw it to the ultraliberal Barack Obama. Jack Ryan should beat either one of them handily. Pappas or Hynes could be more troublesome.

[Impy]

Ah O’Shea the traitor.

You know Chico's wife Sunny is a Republican. I wonder if she supports her husband. Probably does. :/

[Clintonfatigued]

A minor developement in a major race.