Today Is The Day

By Amy Hart in News on Sep 30, 2005 11:55AM

Local news outlets are reporting that today is the day Jim Edgar will announce whether or not he will run for governor of Illinois against Rod Blagojevich in the 2006 race.

If Edgar does run, he will be the bright spot of his party in Illinois, and will hope to ease recent Republican failings ranging from George Ryan to Alan Keyes. Recent polls find that Edgar could beat Blagojevich.

Several Republican sources are reporting that Edgar will not run. With all of the respect and admiration surrounding Edgar these days, he may decide that it is better to remain out of the political circus and be revered as the man who could have saved his party instead of possibly being revealed as just another politician.

State Republicans may not be happy with Edgar’s decision, but they may be relieved that the decision has finally been made, as the party has been in a holding pattern while Edgar contemplated his decision.

If Edgar decides not to run, it is expected that State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, whose own polls show her in a dead heat with Blagojevich, will be the Republicans best hope in reclaiming the governorship.