Two vie for top Illinois GOP job

By Kenneth Lowe | Friday, May 16, 2008

SPRINGFIELD — Competition for the state’s top GOP post left embattled by Bob Kjellander got tighter this week.

Pat Brady, 47, of St. Charles said Illinois’ Republican Party needs a fresh face after losing several Congressional seats to Democrats in recent years.

“It’s been a bad run for Republicans in the state,” Brady said. “I think that we need to reenergize the base. We need to look at trying to have more grassroots efforts, more Internet efforts, and reenergize the party.”

He said he is a better alternative to retiring U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood of Peoria, who has announced his intent to also be the state’s representative to the Republican National Convention.

Though he has never held elected office, in 1996 the former Bloomington resident ran an unsuccessful campaign for McLean County State’s Attorney against then-incumbent Charles Reynard.

Kjellander has announced he will not seek another term as the state’s GOP national committeeman.

— Kenneth Lowe