GOP Rep. Aaron Schock Mulls Gubernatorial Run

By aaroncynic in News on Jan 25, 2013 9:40PM

Republican Congressman Aaron Schock says he is considering the merits of a run for governor in 2014. ABC7 reports the Republican legislator said Thursday that Illinois is in a "world of hurt," and although Schock says he believes he can continue to "do a good job" on the Hill, his constituents might never see "the fruits of his labor in DC" if "we keep the same yahoos in Springfield."

Schock also called out two of his potential opponents, state senators Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard. The Chicago Tribune reports the Congressman said, “Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results” and that Brady and Dillard have “proven nothing more than they can lose an election.” He also stated, "At some point, you know, as a Republican in this state, I've watched cycle after cycle a lot of the same horses trot out on the track that have proven nothing more than they can lose an election."

Neither Brady nor Dillard have made formal electoral announcements and neither seemed interested in slinging mud for an election still fairly far off. Brady told the Trib he welcomed the idea of a packed primary and said that he has "built up a lot of credibility in this state." Dillard said Republicans should focus on Democrats and added it's "a little early for the heavy political posturing." State Treasurer Dan Rutherford has also expressed interest, and Former Tea Party Rep. Joe Walsh has hinted at a gubernatorial run, also.

On the other end of the political spectrum, Attorney General Lisa Madigan is inching out onto the field as well, and Schock took a dig at her, too. “Given the state of our state," Schock told the Tribune, "why would we elect not only someone of the same party, continue to elect people of the same party, with the same policy and beliefs, but now, from the same family? To me, that’s crazy as a state,”