McKenna defends self polling while party chairman

Governor hopeful Andy McKenna continues to defend his decision to use Republican party resources to apparently test the waters for his own candidacy while he led the state GOP.

However, the current party leaders have recently launched a probe of McKenna's actions.

McKenna resigned the party post in August to run for governor in a crowded field of candidates, several of whom he had consulted with about their bids as party chairman.

When the Daily Herald first reported on the poll weeks ago, McKenna spokesman Lance Trover called the story a yawner.

He stuck by that statement Wednesday, even as a McKenna friend emerged to claim it was his "idea" to put the party chairman's name in as a potential Senate or governor candidate.

McKenna briefly pushed a Senate bid in the summer.

Tyrone Fahner, who chaired the party's finance committee under McKenna, told the Chicago Tribune he is to blame, not McKenna. He didn't return a phone call seeking comment Wednesday.

"I thought it was a good idea," he is quoted as saying.

Trover never mentioned before that it was Fahner's "idea." But as party chairman, it was McKenna who ultimately authorized the April poll that also included numerous other potential candidates for governor and Senate.

The inclusion of McKenna's name in the poll has drawn fire from his primary challengers, including state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom of Naperville and conservative commentator Dan Proft of Chicago.

State party leaders are now looking into the poll as a potential ethics violation because it was authorized by McKenna and included his name, but was paid for with party funds. Current party chairman Pat Brady of St. Charles has publicly confirmed a probe is underway. McKenna, who runs a major supply company, has made waves in the seven-candidate primary, hitting the TV early with commercials touting himself as an "outsider." The ads feature the iconic black hair of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Other candidates running in the GOP primary for governor include former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan, state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale and Hinsdale businessman Adam Adrzejewski. The primary is Feb. 2.