Harold in blue (center) with Will County Republicans
CHAMPAIGN - Since incumbent Democrat Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced she will not be running for re-election in 2018, the campaign spotlight momentarily turned away from the party's rowdy governor's race as Democrats scramble to fill the down ballot vacancy.
Prior to Madigan's announcement, Champaign lawyer Republican Erika Harold declared her intentions to challenge Ms. Madigan in 2018. Tuesday, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin publicly endorsed Ms. Harold and Wednesday, Harold's campaign released a list of state lawmakers that also endorse her - making it nearly impossible for any other viable candidate to enter the race.
Thirteen GOP state senators and 32 GOP state representatives signed on in support of Harold, according to Wednesday's press release.
“I am so humbled by the outpouring of support from legislators across the state,” Harold said. “Republican legislators hear from constituents every day about the problems Illinois families face. They have led the fight in Springfield for reforms to put our state back on the right path. It is an honor to have their support and join with them in the fight for reforms that will put the people ahead of the powerful political class.”
While the Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady's name is not on the endorse list, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin's is. He praised Harold's willingness to challenge the Democrat incumbent, whose father is House Speaker Mike Madigan and the head of the Illinois Democrat Party.
“Erika Harold had the courage to enter the race before Lisa Madigan withdrew and that is the type of courage needed to challenge the status quo," Durkin said in a statement. "I am going to do everything I can to make sure she becomes our next Attorney General."
State Senator Jil Tracy said she supported Harold's commitment to fight public corruption.
“I met Erika several years ago and was impressed by her warmth and sincerity. She is an incredibly determined and intelligent person who wants to use her skills to serve the citizens of Illinois as the State's Top lawyer," she said. "She will work fiercely for consumers, crime victims and very importantly against public corruption.”
The campaign released the following list of endorsements from state legislators:
Senator Jason Barickman
Senator Dale Righter
Senator Chapin Rose
Senator Sue Rezin
Senator Pam Althoff
Senator Dave Syverson
Senator Kyle McCarter
Senator Dale Fowler
Senator Jim Oberweis
Senator Tim Bivens
Senator Karen McConnaughay
Senator Jil Tracy
Senator Chuck Weaver
Minority Leader Jim Durkin
Representative Mark Batinick
Representative Avery Bourne
Representative Nick Sauer
Representative Tony McCombie
Representative Keith Wheeler
Representative Allen Skillicorn
Representative Grant Wehrli
Representative Brad Halbrook
Representative Margo McDermed
Representative Jeanne Ives
Representative Lindsay Parkhurst
Representative Tom Morrison
Representative Tim Butler
Representative Dave Severin
Representative Norine Hammond
Representative Randy Frese
Representative Ryan Spain
Representative David Reis
Representative Charles Meier
Representative Dan Swanson
Representative Robert Pritchard
Representative Patricia Bellock
Representative John Cavaletto
Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer
Representative Joe Sosnowski
Representative Chad Hays
Representative Tom Bennett
Representative Steven Reick
Representative Terri Bryant
Representative Barbara Wheeler
Representative Michael McAuliffe
