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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
Dillard Joins Crowded Governor's Race
In a crowded field, Dillard is considered a contender.
"This is the kind of man that the state of Illinois needs today," Mayor Bob Butler told a small group of people gathered at the Williamson County Airport to welcome Dillard to the race.
Butler called Dillard "eminently qualified." His resume includes stints as Director of Legislative Affairs for Governor Jim Thompson and Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Edgar.
A member of the state senate since 1994, Dillard says he's watched Democrats lead Illinois down the wrong path in terms of economics, education and ethics.
"If Governor [Pat] Quinn and these Democrats don't pass every one of those Illinois Reform Commission reforms, it will be my first priority when I'm governor of this state," Dillard said.
He was also critical of the way Quinn has handled the state's budget crisis, insisting that a tax increase is not necessary to fill the multi-billion dollar deficit.
"I would clearly do what Governor Edgar and I did: [you] take a razor blade and you take a magnifying glass and you sit down on Saturday or late at night and you go through the state budget line-by-line," he said.
Dillard also lists education and economic development among his top priorities.
The 53-year-old Hinsdale native joins a handful of other Republicans already in the race.
According to political analyst David Yepsen of Southern Illinois University's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Dillard and his competitors have a shot at the governorship in 2010.
"Voters are angry," Yepsen said. "The right kind of Republican, with the right kind of money, with an open situation like 2010, really needs to be taken seriously."
The GOP field includes long-time DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, political commentator Dan Proft, and publisher Adam Andrzejewski.
John Jackson, also of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, says the three state senators in the race are the candidates to watch.
Sen. Bill Brady, (R)-Bloomington, announced his candidacy early. After a run for governor in 2006 (he lost in the primary to Judy Baar Topinka), Brady has a network of support, especially downstate.
Sen. Matt Murphy, (R)-Palatine, is an upstart candidate that insiders say should be taken seriously. With easy access to the Chicago media, Murphy regularly turned up in front of cameras during the impeachment trial of Rod Blagojevich and has been vocal on budget issues.
According to Jackson, if candidates want to get ahead of the pack, they'll need to do it by fundraising.
Dillard said Thursday there's something else that sets him apart: "I think there's one person in the General Assembly that gets along with all types and factions...and that's what the Chicago Sun Times said about me...it's me."
But that could come back to haunt him. Some say a campaign commercial for President Barack Obama--a Democrat--could be a liability in the primary.
Yepsen warns Republican voters against judging too harshly, noting that candidates often have to move to the right during the primary to shore up support from conservatives.
"Republican rank-and-file have to be careful how they treat these candidates and let them be a little moderate on some issues," Yepsen said.
"I think the real challenge for Kirk Dillard and the challenge for any Republican is to be conservative enough to get the nomination and yet moderate enough to win the general election."
By Dana Jay
djay@wsiltv.com
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