Posted by chicagomedia.org on June 24, 2009 at 14:00:48:
Conservative radio commentator joins crowded Republican governor field
Posted by Rick Pearson at 6:05 p.m. from Chicago Tribune
Conservative radio commentator and former Cicero town spokesman Dan Proft today announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor, stressing his credentials with the party’s core supporters in challenging the Democrats' one-party rule in Illinois politics.
Proft's political background includes serving as an aide to unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate Alan Keyes, who lost to Barack Obama in 2004. The following year, Proft was a top aide to Larry Dominick's successful run for mayor of Cicero. The Tribune reported last September that Proft's firm received nearly $580,000 from various entities in Cicero, including $180,000 to speak for Dominick and Cicero.
Known for acerbic responses in taking on those who question him, Proft contended in a statement on his campaign Web site that the state Republican leadership has "laid down their arms" in contesting Democrats and instead "embraced the false virtue of bipartisanship." Amid calls by some to end partisan fights, Proft said in his statement, "Let's start the partisan bickering."
Already announced candidates for governor in the February 2010 GOP primary include state Sens. Bill Brady of Bloomington, Matt Murphy of Palatine and newcomer Adam Andrzejewski, who also has been mining the GOP's conservative wing. State Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale is exploring a run as are DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom and DuPage County State's Atty. Joe Birkett.