Rep. Dan Brady Launches Secretary of State Campaign
Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) launched his campaign for Secretary of State Wednesday. Brady has served in the House for 20 years. (Photo credit: AP)
Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington), a 20-year veteran of the Illinois House, launched a campaign for Illinois Secretary of State Wednesday in Chicago.
He criticized the current Secretary of State driver’s facilities, likely the most public facing part of the job, for long lines and inefficiencies.
Brady accentuated plans to “streamline” and “bring modernization” to the Secretary of State’s office, by reducing wait times, improving services for drivers and constituents, and protecting personal data.
“If [voters] want business as usual, then that’s their choice,” Brady said of continued Democratic rule in the state, “But if they want something new, that’s what I’ll bring to the table.”
Potentially most notably was the appearance and endorsement of House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), indicating Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) may not run for Secretary of State, as he had previously discussed, and may focus on a run for State Treasurer.
To be competitive in the November election, Brady will likely have to step up fundraising. He filed with around $190,000 on hand at the end of September, though he has raised at least $10,000 since then. Former Democratic State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, meanwhile, filed with around $3.4 million cash on hand. Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia had around $700,000 cash on hand.
“Every campaign I’ve ever been in, I’ve been the underdog,” Brady said. “This will be nothing new. Money is very important in the political process, but it isn’t everything when it comes to winning races.”
