Posted on 02/13/2003 12:17:02 PM PST by LdSentinal
WASHINGTON--Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, who in 1998 became the state's youngest elected constitutional officer in decades, said Wednesday he is preparing to enter the Democratic field trying to unseat Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald.
Hynes, 34, said he would file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to establish an exploratory committee that would allow him to begin raising money as a candidate for the 2004 race.
''My candidacy is being extremely well-received by people of all ages in all parts of the state,'' he said. ''I offer a proven, effective leadership, a track record of representing all of Illinois and a history of bipartisan cooperation.''
Hynes said a formal announcement of candidacy will be made in late spring or early summer, and he will not be engaged in active campaigning for a while.
''Campaigns start too early and people are understandably turned off by the constant barrage of political rhetoric,'' he said.
Hynes, who as comptroller pays the state's bills, collects its debt and keeps tabs on its fiscal health, said he will be focused on working with Gov. Blagojevich and state lawmakers to resolve Illinois' current fiscal crisis.
His father, Thomas Hynes, is a former Illinois Senate president and Cook County assessor who remains influential as a member of the Democratic National Committee and the committeeman for one of Chicago's vote-rich wards.
Three other Democrats, millionaire Chicago businessman Blair Hull, former Chicago Board of Education chief Gery Chico and Chicago state Sen. Barack Obama, have formed exploratory committees. Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has said she would. Metamora Mayor Matt O'Shea, a Republican, recently said he would run as a Democrat.
Democrats view Fitzgerald as the Senate's most vulnerable Republican up for re-election in 2004. Even members of Fitzgerald's own party have suggested that they need an alternative to the political maverick. Fitzgerald has not officially declared his re-election plans but has begun fund-raising.
Buncha stinkin' losers if ya ask me . . .
2002 Illinois Democratic Primary
United States Congressman Rod Blagojevich: 36.6%
Chicago School Superintendant Paul G. Vallas: 34.4%
Former State Attorney General Roland W. Burris: 29.0%
None. Fitz had better get the national party and Bush to back him big time, because we can't count on these local gutless worms to not stab him in the back.
That would be like counting on Dianne Feinstein to support the Second Amendment.
The RINO party in Illinois is a corrupt extension of the Democrats. Why would they support any Republican candidate who has integrity?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.