In 2000, when John Cox ran for the U.S. House, in Illinois’ 10th District, he wasn’t last, in that primary. That race had 11 Republicans. Mark Kirk won with 31%, and Cox was fifth, with 10%. In the 2008 Iowa caucus, Cox got more votes than Alan Keyes.
According to Wikipedia Cox dropped out before Iowa and got only 10 votes to Keyes 247.
As for the House primary, Billyboy probably meant he placed last among the serious candidates, the others who got less than him were no-chancers, including former State Rep. Thomas Lachner.
I remember TV ads for that primary. The woman named Shawn, the dude who owned a Walmart that bragged he stopped selling guns, BARFFFFFFFFFFFF. “Human Events” incorrectly thought that Kirk (whom they labeled a moderate) would be an upgrade from Porter (labeled a liberal).
I saw and cheered at Cox in a parade in 2002, I was right up front. He didn’t acknowledge me therefore he’s a jerk.
My brother was handed a Blago sponge (yes like you wash dishes with) and tore it up which angered the rat who handed it to him “You’ll be glad when he’s Governor”, the man said. Another sponge we took home and used, IIRC it was of poor quality.