Who will be the new stars in Illinois GOP?

MINNEAPOLIS - At late-night cocktail parties and in early-morning breakfast speeches at the Republican National Convention, Illinois Republicans jockeyed to lead their beleaguered state party as top-ballot candidates.

For years, Illinois Republicans have been shut out of statewide offices, including governor, attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state and comptroller.

At the Twin Cities convention, it was clear they were looking to the next round of statewide elections, in 2010, as a turning point.

Many Republicans see the division and gridlock in Springfield among ruling Democrats as the perfect opportunity to convince voters to give them another shot at control. They sense the pall cast by the indictment, trial and conviction of Republican Gov. George Ryan is dissipating. They are looking for fresh leaders and rising stars.

"I think the unhappiness with the way the Democrats have governed the state will be a big plus for us as we run in 2010," says former Gov. Jim Edgar. "I don't think Republicans' fortunes are as bad as some people think in this state."

From the Minneapolis-St. Paul convention, it was clear many Republicans are lining up to lead what they hope will be a GOP resurgence in the solid blue state.

But, as Edgar says, "It is one thing to talk about running for governor. It is a whole different thing to do it." Here is a look at several possible top-ballot candidates and party leaders moving forward:

Tom Cross

House Republican leader

Cross, of Oswego, has worked to lead the party in the House for years, but he has had trouble unifying caucus members from across the state. He remains one of the few Republicans who has been in the news and who holds a relatively notable office.

When asked about his future intentions, Cross said running for statewide office is something he "will give serious thought to." And he added, "It is not something I have at all dismissed."

Frank Watson

Senate Republican leader

Watson, of Greenville, is considered to be very popular downstate, but he admits it will be hard for him to win statewide. He has been in the Senate since 1982 and has served as its Republican minority leader since 2002.

Watson is hoping to add Republican seats to the Senate. But given the expanse of Democratic control, it will be difficult for him to win enough to move up to Senate president. Watson says he is focusing for now on the Senate but adds, "we'll see what unfolds" after November.

Jim Durkin

State Representative, Western Springs

Chairman of this year's Illinois Republican delegation and co-chair of John McCain's Illinois campaign, Durkin was front and center during convention activities.

Durkin gave up his state seat in a failed bid against U.S. Dick Durbin in 2002, but he was able to win it back in 2006. On running statewide again, Durkin said, "No person who is an elected official ever rules anything out."

Aaron Schock

State representative from Peoria, Congressional candidate

Schock has been pointed to as the future of the party by most top GOP officials. He appears to be a lock for his congressional bid. Yet, 2010 may be too early for him to jump into state politics again. He would have to give up his seat to make a run.

He has plenty of time. Schock was just 23 when he won his Springfield seat in 2005, the youngest lawmaker ever. Former Gov. Jim Thompson commented in Minneapolis, "We will have to wait for Aaron Schock to grow up."

Kirk Dillard

State senator from Hinsdale

Dillard has had the resume to run for higher office for years. He was an adviser to Gov. Jim Thompson in the 1980s and Gov. Jim Edgar's chief of staff during his first term.

Serving in the state Senate since 1993, Dillard has garnered leadership positions and is not shy about reaching across party lines. He even went as far as to shoot a positive ad for Barack Obama, which he insists will play well with moderate Republicans in Illinois.

Dillard has signaled his desire to run for governor in 2010.

Bob Schillerstrom

DuPage County Chairman

DuPage County chairman since 1998, Schillerstrom enjoys a home base that can turn out huge votes for Republicans, and he has reached out to top Democrats such as Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. It remains to be seen how his work with Democrats would play in a statewide GOP primary.

On running for governor or another statewide post, Schillerstrom says, "That is one of the things I'm going to take look at and give some consideration to."

Joe Birkett

DuPage County State's Attorney

Birkett lost statewide bids for attorney general (2002) and lieutenant governor (2006). But he says he is still in the game. Birkett is actively exploring a bid for governor or attorney general.

His work as DuPage County state's attorney since 1996 is both a boost to his public image and a deficit, as opponents have targeted him as an overzealous prosecutor. He is running unopposed for a fourth county term on November's ballot.

Bill Brady

State Senator of Bloomington

Brady has been running for governor since coming in third in the 2006 GOP governor primary. He is preaching compassionate conservatism in hopes of alienating neither moderates nor conservatives as he builds for 2010.

The downstate developer has access to personal wealth, though his fundraising effort has been less than impressive thus far.

Ron Gidwitz

Former State Board of Education Chairman

The cosmetics magnate and former chairman of the State Board of Education came in fourth in the 2006 GOP governor primary with just over 80,000 votes. Asked in Minneapolis if he will run again, Gidwitz said, "I had a great time last time. Who knows?"

Gidwitz has the ability to self-finance a second run, but he has never won an elected office before.

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