Thursday, October 22, 2009

Ex-GOP chair's political ambitions reveal much about brewing primary

For four years as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Andy McKenna tried to breathe life into the winded institution, searching for winning candidates and working to head off bitter primaries.

Yet it appears McKenna was simultaneously weighing his own plans for public office, including his name this spring in an internal party poll aimed at testing potential candidates.

The poll, obtained recently by the Daily Herald, has sparked anger from some Republicans who question why the former party steward's name would be included when he was vetting other bidders, especially now that McKenna has indeed decided to run for governor.

To some, the poll and McKenna's entrance into the race reflect the state of the Illinois GOP in recent years, often viewed as a ship adrift with too many lieutenants fighting over the wheel. And the Republican primary for governor has so far shaped up likewise: a pack of moderately known politicians struggling for attention and battling over a few key fundraisers and organizers.

The party poll was commissioned by McKenna as chairman in April and his own name is in it as a possible candidate for both governor and U.S. senator. Other Republican governor hopefuls are upset McKenna has gone from party leader to primary challenger.

"Only Andy McKenna can address the many conflicts surrounding his candidacy," said Brad Hahn, spokesman for DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, who also is running for governor. "We are anxious to hear his explanation."

McKenna declined to be interviewed about the poll. His spokesman declined to answer questions, but issued a statement.

"I'm not sure the story of a political organization conducting a poll seven months ago that included 20 people requires much more than a yawn," said Lance Trover.

The packed GOP primary for governor comes as the Republicans have perhaps their best chance in nearly a decade to recapture power in Illinois given the fall of Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the constant call for tax increases from Democrats.

"It is a reflection of the disarray in the Republican Party and the lack of a farm team that gets you this kind of field," says Kent Redfield, a political-science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

So far, most of the Republican candidates are relatively fresh to the statewide ballot, including Schillerstrom of Naperville, state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, conservative commentator Dan Proft of Wheaton and Hinsdale businessman Adam Andrzejewski.

Others have been on a statewide run before, however unsuccessfully. State Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington came in third in the 2006 GOP primary for governor. McKenna of Chicago took fourth in a crowded 2004 Republican primary field for U.S. Senate with 15 percent of the vote.

The field appears likely to remain crowded even though there is a chance some could drop out in advance of the Nov. 2 filing deadline to actually get on the primary ballot.

The primary's dynamics might still dramatically shift if former two-term Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan of Elmhurst enters the fray, as he has signaled recently that he will.

"At this point, every candidate can write a scenario where they can appeal to a certain group and if all the stars align, they end up winning in a seven-person field," Redfield said. "You don't yet have a front-runner that kind of clears the field."

With so many candidates, many Republicans are fearful the fighting will alienate key voting blocs and fundraisers, risking the party's chances in the general election.

"We have had problems like this before and it didn't bode well for us," said U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale. "But everyone has been talking about how we will have to work together."

For his part, new party chairman Pat Brady hopes that whatever blood spills before the February primary will be quickly washed away so Republicans can focus on winning the general election in November 2010.

"Voice your ideas in the primary as best you can," the St. Charles attorney told fellow Republicans in a City Club of Chicago speech earlier this month. "Then - win or lose - reconcile and unite with all Republicans and go on to contest the general. That is how we will win."

In fact, it's vital in order for the party to have a prayer at winning in the general election, says Paul Green, a political-science professor at Roosevelt University.

Especially since the suburbs in the last decade have turned more Democratic, undermining a region the Republicans had long counted on to balance Chicago.

"They keep fishing in places where there just aren't as many fish," Green said.

For now, the results of the April Republican poll are telling. None of the nine names floated in the race for governor came out with a convincing lead and most drew few signs of recognition.

For McKenna's part, the poll showed him faring better in the Senate race than the one for governor.
Reader Comments
Click here to read 6 comments or post a comment
1. Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of Daily Herald
2. To understand what is and isn't allowed please read our comments policy
3. To report an inappropriate post click the icon beneath the comment

Have something constructive to say? Be the first to comment!
Place a comment

0 comments:

Post a Comment