[MadIvan]

My question is simple - who said to Peter Fitzgerald that he shouldn't run again? And if it was his own decision, why did no one try to talk him 'round?

Regards, Ivan

[Theodore R.]

I think it was probably Fitzgerald's personal decision that he not run -- I suspect that he also knew that he could not win again because IL is so Democrat in political orientation.

[OneTimeLurker]

As I recall, Fitzgerald's approval rating was like 35% with his re-elect number around the same.

[goldstategop]

The RINO party leaders. He retired partly because he knew it would be pointless to run without the backing of the IL GOP establishment. And many of them would have bolted this time to support a Democrat if he didn't quit. And Fitzgerald who is a decent man, didn't really have a prayer of getting re-elected a state that is trending Democratic. 'Nuff said.