I’m playing some catch-up here. Recently-elected Naperville City Councilman Darlene Senger is the latest Republican to throw her hat in the race for retiring Illinois State House member Joe Dunn’s seat. Dunn joins at least five other GOP House Members who have decided to retire this year.
Darlene Senger enters a race on the Republican side with former DuPage County Young Republican President and State Representative Jim Meyer aide Mike Bowler; computer consultant Jen Brower of Naperville, who claims former leadership of the Illinois Republican Liberty Caucus; insurance brokerage owner John Prichett of Naperville; and Will County Board member Michael Wisniewski of Naperville. Aurora Alderman Chris Beykirch also considered entering the race, but ultimately decided not to run. Both Naperville City Councilman Dick Furstenau and Aurora Alderman Richard Irvin publicly rejected speculation that they might run.
Joe Dunn was known for his commitment to no tax increases and his social conservatism - but in a reflection of a changing district and possible aspirations for higher office (see, perhaps, Judy Biggert’s congressional seat), Dunn had started to moderate his views. Joe has not ruled out running for office in the future.
Republican candidates face tough choices in the 96th District. In a primary election that will include U.S. Senator Barack Obama at the top of the ticket for president - a contest that might help decide the presidency - moderate Republicans and independents may vote Democrat to vote for Obama. This is even more true considering the dismal GOP presidential field and the dismal GOP president many wish to remove. Republican presidential troubles in DuPage were brought home recently with State Senator Kirk Dillard’s recent endorsement (or at least prominent support) of Barack Obama in the Democratic primary (in the Republican primary Dillard is committed to the flagging Senator John McCain). It’s not an easy time to be an Illinois Republican - so GOP primary voters may tend to be even harder core (i.e. far right) than normal. Local disgust at the all-Republican DuPage County Board’s fiscal mismanagement won’t help.
But if running far-right may be a requirement to win the Republican primary - it’s probably a losing proposition in the general election. It won’t be easy to thread that needle.
Meanwhile, Will and DuPage Democrats are looking forward to the race in the 96th District - where the national ticket may boost turnout and offer a pleasant surprise in 2008.
[Credit for candidates and background to Marni Pyke and Jake Griffin of the Daily Herald and Kate Houlihan and Paige Winfield of The Beacon News]
Trackbacks & Pingbacks 1
[…] After an impressive fundraiser yielding $14,000 two weeks ago, Democratic State House Candidate Dianne McGuire has raised over $51,000 in her bid for the 96th District open seat of retiring Republican State Representative Joe Dunn. In the last state financial report at the end of the year, Dianne McGuire had total receipts of over $19,000, with at that point almost $13,000 cash on hand compared to Republican challenger Darlene Senger’s total receipts of $21,000, but only just over $4,000 cash on hand after the GOP primary. […]
Post a Comment