Saying that she feels compelled to answer her party's call, Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka intends to seek the GOP nomination to run against Gov. Rod Blagojevich in next year's election, according to Crain's Chicago Business.
Stopping just short of a formal announcement, she said that she has begun circulating nominating petitions for governor and it is 'quite probable' she will file them.
The GOP primary field now includes businessmen Ron Gidwitz and Jim Oberweis as well as state senators Steven Rauschenberger and Bill Brady. ( While making a fundraising trip through southern Illinois, Brady said Topinka asked him if he would run for treasurer, the Quad-City Times reported. Brady said that he will stay in the governor's race. ) DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett and former state Sen. Patrick O'Malley of Palos Park are also considering running, the Sun-Times reported.
Although Topinka indicated she has been assured of adequate financial coffers, she has been attacked by other state Republicans, particularly because she is both pro-choice and in favor of gay rights. The Sun-Times noted that opponents also plan on highlighting her past alliance with former Gov. George Ryan, who is now on trial in federal court.