Dillard Seeking Major Financial Backing for Potential Governor Run
Former State Senator Kirk Dillard, who finished 2nd in the GOP primaries for Governor in 2010 and 2014, says he has been “encouraged” by supporters to run again.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
Former State Senator Kirk Dillard may be looking into the GOP race for Governor after all.
Dillard, a Republican, who is currently the Chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), has previously run for Governor twice. In 2010, he finished 193 votes behind eventual GOP nominee Bill Brady. He ran again in 2014, finishing second again, this time to Bruce Rauner.
When he spoke to The Illinoize in May, Dillard unequivocally denied rumors he was looking into a run for Governor next year.
Dillard told us Thursday that friends in business and politics “continue to reach out to me.”
Sources say the Dillard camp has approached billionaire Republican donor Ken Griffin to help bankroll a potential campaign against billionaire Governor JB Pritzker. Dillard would not confirm any contact with Griffin but said he would need significant financial support to get into the race, calling financing “crucial.”
One longtime Republican operative believes Griffin's support may be the deciding factor for Dillard in the end.
“He will only go if Griffin coronates him,” the operative said.
But, we’ve been told Griffin and his team are more partial to downstate Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville), and are waiting for new congressional maps to be revealed to know Davis’ plans.
Dillard, 66, of suburban Hindsale, was Chief of Staff to former Governor Jim Edgar and managed legislative affairs for the late Governor Jim Thompson. He served in the Senate from 1993-2014, when he resigned to become RTA Chairman.
His ties to Edgar are well documented, but Edgar’s standing has diminished with numerous pro-Trump Republicans, specifically downstate, due to Edgar’s comments in opposition to the former President. Dillard also sat for a TV ad for then-Sen. Barack Obama in the 2008 primary, which has riled conservatives for years.
We asked Dillard if he is too moderate to win a primary in today’s GOP and he simply responded “no.”
While we know Dillard is taking meetings and having conversations, it isn’t clear how committed he is to the potential race.
Dillard said he hasn’t made up his mind, but he’s willing to listen.
“I owe it to [those who have reached out to me] and the people of Illinois to listen,” he said. “The primary is still a long way off.”
That’s no longer an unequivocal denial.