Illinois Ping
IL GOP leaders have a record of supporting the wrong candidates. In Dec. 2007, Chairman McKenna and the IL GOP State Central Committee endorsed Dr. Sauerberg. He won his primary, and, in the general election, he received 33%.
Before the 2006 governor election, many party leaders endorsed then-Treasurer Topinka. She won the primary, and, in the general election, she won about 38% of the vote. In 2004, after Jack Ryan resigned from the U.S. Senate race, the IL GOP State Central Committee chose Alan Keyes, to be the nominee. In the general election, he received 27%. Before the 2002 U.S. Senate primary, many party leaders endorsed St. Rep. Durkin. He won the primary, and, in the general election, he received 38%.
From now one, all Illinois Republicans should remember that, if the party leaders endorse a statewide candidate, before a contested primary, the voters should support a different candidate.