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Republicans Ready To Rumble

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Nov 5, 2009 5:40PM

2010 is a big election year and state Republicans are hoping to take back, among other offices, the governor's seat. But first they've got to get through the primary and with seven candidates in a heated campaign, the race to see who will oppose Quinn or Hynes in 2010 could be pretty interesting. The debate happens tonight at the downtown Hilton (720 S. Michigan Ave) and Chris Robling will moderate. You can purchase tickets here, find a viewing party, or wait for WLS 890 AM to rebroadcast the entire debate tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

2009_11_05_debate.jpg So who's running? The seven candidates are:

  • Adam Andrzejewski, Former non-profit director
  • Bill Brady, State Senator
  • Kirk Dillard, State Senator
  • Andy McKenna, Former State GOP Chairman
  • Dan Proft, Publicist, commentator
  • Jim Ryan, Former Illinois Attorney General
  • Bob Schillerstrom, DuPage County Board Chairman

As for what to expect tonight, WBEZ's Sam Hudzik chatted with Illinois GOP chair Pat Brady and here's what he said:

BRADY: We're not allowing any bomb-throwing in the sense of negative attacks based on things that don't pertain to the issues that are of concern to the citizens of the state of Illinois. HUDZIK: And there will be interruptions of candidates if it gets too heated? BRADY: You betcha. We got a mic turn-off switch.

The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. tonight.