Illinois Review

Illinois Governor's Race: What Should a Conservative Do?

by John Brown's Ghost

Last night, I was talking to a person I respect tremendously in terms of their conservative take on the issues.  They related to me a recent meeting they had with a number of other conservatives.  At the end of the meeting, this person asked the assembled handful of people who they would vote for in the Governor's race.  There were five different answers.  Surprising, but when you read the daily back and forth comments here on Illinois Review, it is not tremendously surprising.

In this year's Governor's race, there are two very apparent things that come to mind.  A) None of the candidates are really lighting the world on fire, and B) if there was EVER a year to take back the Governor's mansion (Rod never used it, so I don't know if we are taking it back or not), this would be the year.  Good grief, the Democrats have run the state into the ground, so you would think voters would be ready for a new start with Republicans.  That is why point A above is so distressing.

Ryan announces

Yesterday in Springfield, former Attorney General Jim Ryan announced his intentions to be the seventh Republican candidate for governor in the February 2, 2010 primary. We found his announcement speech on his website, and thought you might like to read where he's headed.

Following is the text of Jim Ryan’s speech announcing his candidacy for Illinois Governor — as prepared for delivery, November 3, 2009: