Who Should GOP Candidates Pick for Running Mates?
Former Sen. Karen McConnaughay is a popular pick among Republican insiders as a running mate for a top GOP candidate for Governor.
The Illinoize spoke with more than a dozen Republican political operatives, current and former legislators, and other “insiders” about who the Republican candidates for governor should choose as their running mate.
You may remember after the Scott Lee Cohen disaster in 2010, Democrats changed the law that Lieutenant Governor and Governor candidates would run together on a ticket from the onset of a campaign and not be linked up by voters in a primary.
Now-Governor JB Pritzker chose then-State Representative Juliana Stratton as his running mate in 2018, and there is no indication she won’t be on the ticket again next year, though the Pritzker campaign did not return a message seeking comment. (There is a track record for a Lt. Governor not staying on the ticket. Sheila Simon parted with Pat Quinn in 2014 and George Ryan replaced Dave O’Neal as Jim Thompson’s running mate after O’Neal quit in 1981.)
What it has lead to, though, is sometimes candidates picking a running mate out of practical political obscurity. In 2018, Democrat Chris Kennedy ran with Ra Joy, a Chicago gun and good government activist. In 2014, Bruce Rauner selected then-Wheaton City Council member Evelyn Sanguinetti. Then-Sen. Bill Brady selected Maria Rodriguez, the mayor of a suburban town of about 8,000 people.
With a current field of Republican candidates seen as vast underdogs against billionaire incumbent JB Pritzker, many insiders we spoke to were skeptical about who would take the job. Here’s a sampling of what folks had to say about potential running mates:
Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia)
“Bailey should pick a suburban female and/or minority, ideally someone who is a parent of younger kids currently attending public school.”
“Bailey needs a moderate suburban woman, but I assume he would go with [Former Rep. Jeanne] Ives.”
“I think he picks someone aligned with his world view and won’t worry about geography or ideological balance.”
“Bailey currently has zero crossover appeal and wears it like a badge of honor, but he has a big head start. I have to think it will be someone like Jeanne Ives to double down on the message.”
“Bailey should pick a suburban moderate woman, if we even have any of those left.”
Suggested names: Former Rep. Jeanne Ives, Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine), Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), talk show host Amy Jacobson.
Businessman Gary Rabine
“[He needs] a central or southern Illinois female and/or minority state legislator or state official.”
“I think he could [select] a downstate woman, but I’m not sure what elected official would be interested.”
“I would suggest someone Hispanic or Asian.”
“Rabine should go with someone who has governmental experience.”
Suggested names: Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville), former Lt. Gov. candidate Steve Kim, Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savana), Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy), former Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, businesswoman Sarah Frye.
Former Sen. Paul Schimpf
“Schimpf is best served by a suburban female and/or minority with a law enforcement background.”
“He wants Sue Rezin or someone like Sue Rezin.”
“I don’t know what Paul is doing. It seems like he can’t decided between the crazy or sane [Republican] lane.”
“Schimpf needs to get someone who makes a splash and gets him some attention. Someone like Erika Harold. He needs to out-Trump Bailey, if that's possible, to even be in this thing.”
Suggested names: Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris), DuPage County Board Chair Dan Cronin, Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savana), former Miss America Erika Harold, 42nd Ward Committeewoman Eloise Gerson, 3rd Ward Committeewoman Monique Hoffman.
Businessman Jesse Sullivan
“I would pick a suburban female and/or minority state legislator or state official.”
“Sullivan needs a known entity. But whoever he gets will probably know the issues better than him.”
“Sullivan needs a grown up. I'm unsure his path to victory in this. He has minimal Illinois advisors. But a lot of D.C. consultants ready to spend $11 million. He needs a real Illinois guy. And, unlike others, I argue he needs a guy.”
“I think Sullivan picks a female, someone young, energetic, diverse, and not from government.”
“He needs a policy wonk. Probably a current or former member of the General Assembly.”
Suggested names: Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris), Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst), Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savana), DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin, 41st Ward Committeewoman Ammie Kessem.
We also asked about potential running mates for Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville), who is flirting with running for Governor if he is drawn out of his congressional district.
“I think Davis would be best served by a moderate suburban female with legislative experience.”
“Davis would have to have a popular suburban running mate.”
“I think Davis needs a woman from the suburbs, preferably an outsider.”
“Davis is a little more free because there ain't no way he's getting into this without Chicago money saying ‘you are our guy.’ He has more government experience so he can go someone corporate or a job creator.”
Suggested names: Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst), former Sen. Karen McConnaughay, Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris), Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, former Comptroller Leslie Munger.
A Rabine spokesman said the campaign is casting a “wide net,” and doesn’t have clear parameters for what a running mate should look like.
“We want someone who is going to improve the ticket,” the spokesman said.
Former Sen. Paul Schimpf told The Illinoize he didn’t have any updates on the search while the Bailey and Sullivan campaigns did not return our messages Monday.