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.
I guess that I was thinking of the Iowa straw poll. Cox got more votes than Keyes, in that event.
I thought the same thing when that lying douchebag Robert Dold (a self-described "middle of the road on social issues guy") replaced Kirk (who also claimed to be "middle of the road" but voted however Planned Parenthood told him to)
Seems to be an endless cycle in that district. Campaign to the center during the GOP primary, and then do the RATs bidding once elected.