It is always important for citizens to vote. Though we are not expecting the same surprises as we saw during campaign 2000, this off-year election does offer several reasons for voters to go to the poll, particularly in the gubernatorial race.
With the exception of campaign stalwarts Roland Burris, a former Illinois Attorney General and three-time gubernatorial candidate, and current two-term Attorney General Jim Ryan, the governor's race has several fresh faces to choose from in both the Republican and Democratic fields.
Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood, elected in 1998, is a relatively fresh face. Before 1998, she served just one term in the Illinois House of Representatives. The pro-choice Wood offers a more moderate choice for Republican voters. For staunch conservatives, State Sen. Patrick O'Malley (R-Palos Park), an avid abortion foe, is making his first statewide bid.
Both Wood and O'Malley trail Jim Ryan in primary polls. As of March 18, Ryan is leading with 47 percent among Republican voters, according to a CBS/Sun-Times poll. O'Malley and Wood follow with 23 percent each. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Rod Blagojevich is leading with 37 percent of the Democratic vote in the final CBS/Sun-Times poll. Burris is second with 29 percent, followed by former Chicago schools chief Paul Vallas with 27 percent.
Blagojevich, the son-in-law of powerful Chicago Ald. Richard Mell, was elected to the U.S. House in 1996. Before that, he served two terms in the Illinois legislature. This is Blagojevich's first statewide election. Vallas, known more for his work as Chicago Public Schools CEO, is also making his first statewide bid. Other noteworthy races include the Attorney General's race with Republican John Schmidt squaring off against State Sen. Lisa Madigan (D-Chicago), daughter of Illinois House of Representatives Speaker Michael Madigan.
This year's election offers some intriguing choices. Voters should jump on this opportunity to help shape Illinois for years to come during one of the most important election years to date.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
