Big Republican debate could change important minds here
Some top GOP leaders in Illinois are beginning to narrow their lists of favorites in the Republican presidential field with a month to go before campaigns start taking shape here.
But many other state Republican leaders are waiting for the list of hopefuls to be winnowed down and are eager to see who stands out in the first major presidential primary debate Thursday on Fox News.
Illinois Republicans see the state as a potentially decisive one in 2016.
"I'm for who can win," said U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, a Plano Republican who said he's looking forward to sizing up the candidates Thursday on the road to picking a favored presidential contender. He said he's optimistic about the party's chances next November.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner hasn't said publicly who he'll back, but he's often spoken highly of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Highland Park hasn't made a choice, either, and might stay out of the presidential primary altogether.
Presidential campaigns can start circulating nominating petitions in Illinois next month, so supporters are likely to start picking sides soon.
Who supports whom in Illinois could be critical. Local backing brings access to the local organizations needed to get delegates on the ballot, no easy task. In the 2012 primary, when Illinois elevated Mitt Romney to a near lock for the nomination, hiccups with his petition signatures put in danger his delegates on the ballot.
The Land of Lincoln isn't the earliest state on the primary calendar. But coming a couple weeks after so-called Super Tuesday, Illinois' March 15 primary - on the same day as Ohio's, Florida's and North Carolina's - could put someone over the top.
"I think we can be a difference-maker in the middle of the season," state Rep. Ed Sullivan, a Mundelein Republican, said.
Sullivan is supporting Ohio Gov. John Kasich, one of a few Midwestern governors in the race.
Hultgren said the campaigns have been reaching out to members of Congress, and he says Walker, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Kasich are in his top tier.
"We definitely have been hearing from some and have met with several," he said. Representatives for U.S. Reps. Bob Dold of Kenilworth and Peter Roskam of Wheaton say they are inclined to stay out of making endorsements.
Presidential endorsements could be a distraction for candidates who face their own major races. But both Sullivan and State Central Committeeman Ryan Higgins of Schaumburg say who Rauner picks - if anyone - could have a lot of sway here.
Higgins said so far, local straw polls have shown a lot of support for Walker and not as much for polling front-runner Donald Trump.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul visited Niles last week, and Walker is set to visit DuPage County next month. Higgins helped organize a record-breaking event for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in Rolling Meadows earlier this year.
Even as the candidates have to focus their early attention on Iowa, Illinois can't be ignored, Higgins said.
"They're always looking to come through Illinois for fundraising opportunities," Higgins said.
Thursday's debate could be the beginning of voters starting to pay more attention to a presidential race in which Trump has grabbed a lot of the recent headlines.
Joining Trump, Bush, Walker, Rubio, Paul, Christie and Kasich on the main stage will be former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Dr. Ben Carson, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at 8 p.m. on Fox News.
Before the main debate, candidates who aren't among those 10 will square off at 4 p.m. on Fox News.
The second-place Illinois primary finisher and former Lake County resident Rick Santorum won't be on the main stage Thursday night, but he wasn't generally considered to be in the top tier of candidates in the middle of 2011, either.
Hultgren said he's eager to see who starts to emerge as standouts from the big field Thursday.
"I'm excited to hear more," Hultgren said.
First GOP presidential debate
The first major Republican presidential debate will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday on Fox News.
Before the main debate, candidates who aren't among the 10 allowed to participate will square off at 4 p.m. on Fox News.