by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director
First let me begin by stating the following commentary is not an endorsement of Adam Andrzejewski's gubernatorial bid who is seeking the GOP nomination in the February 2nd primary. But I must provide full disclosure regarding my prior relationship with former state Sen. Patrick O'Malley.
My wife Julie and I know O'Malley well. He was our state Senator when we lived in Crestwood, Illinois in southwest Cook County. We care for him deeply and always will. As a private citizen, I supported his bid for the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2002. Then-Attorney General Jim Ryan went on to defeat O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood in the Republican primary.
Yesterday, I learned O'Malley would officially endorse Adam Andrzejewski and it is clear O'Malley's support for this candidate will be a huge plus in the upcoming GOP primary. Reportedly, a press conference will be held by Andrzejewski on Tuesday, January 19th announcing what many political insiders already knew. But in the same sense, this endorsement will throw the Republican gubernatorial race into chaos. There are strong O'Malley supporters who have made commitments to other gubernatorial candidates. I know O'Malley's decision to endorse Andrzejewski will have an impact on these people.
O'Malley's Endorsement of Andrzejewski
I believe Patrick O'Malley's endorsement of Adam Andrzejewski is significant. O'Malley is a man of integrity. I know this for a fact and I do not believe O'Malley would support someone who did not share his pro-family values. Although it is true O'Malley has been out of the political picture in recent years, he still has a strong following among the pro-family community in Illinois and commands great respect from this voting bloc.
In fact, I was in the midst of what seemed like a cult of personality regarding O'Malley's gubernatorial run. Individuals cared for O'Malley so much that their unwavering support of him may have led to the defeat of Jim Ryan in the 2002 general election. O'Malley refused to endorse Ryan for ethical reasons, although many political experts think that was a mistake.
However, O'Malley knew Ryan was from the heart of the "Combine". O'Malley was aware that Ryan attempted to entrap law-abiding gun owners and sellers, a story which I broke at the time for what was then called RFM News http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/12/jim-ryan-for-governor-gun-owners-have-not-forgotten-former-illinois-attorney-generals-attempt-to-ent.html. In 2002 no one can forget what Jim Ryan did as DuPage County State's Attorney regarding the Jeanine Nicarico case, a ten year old girl who was brutally raped and murdered in DuPage County.
A quick refresher: Jim Ryan helped to convict two Hispanic men of the crime. Eventually, Ryan, DuPage County prosecutors and police knew someone else had committed the murder. Yet they seemed prepared to let one of the men who was sitting on death row die http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,21810,00.html.
O'Malley stuck to his guns and the fact he avoided endorsing Jim Ryan in 2002 may not be a testament to O'Malley's political expedience, but it surely is a testimony to his character.
Will O'Malley's endorsement of Andrzejewski put a damper on the growing momentum of state Sen. Kirk Dillard's candidacy? You bet it will. O'Malley and Dillard served together in the Illinois Senate for a number of years and those who may have been tempted to give their allegiance to Dillard may well now consider giving Andrzejewski their vote. There are problems with Dillard's campaign as well, such as the television ad Dillard made for Obama in Iowa before the Iowa caucuses and the support he has from Combine boss former Illinois governor Jim Edgar.
The Biggest Loser
Dan Proft's gubernatorial bid, without a doubt, will suffer the greatest impact from O'Malley's endorsement of Andrzejewski. Proft worked on O'Malley's gubernatorial campaign in 2002. The operative question is: Why isn't Pat O'Malley supporting Proft? I'll leave that speculation to others or they can read numerous columns myself and others have written about Proft and his political background.
One thing is for sure. O'Malley's endorsement of Andrzejewski is significant. It matters.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Adam Andrzejewski for Governor: Why I Am Pro-Life: In His Own Words http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/10/adam-andrzejewski-for-governor-why-i-am-prolife-in-his-own-words.html
Jim Ryan for Governor: Gun Owners Have Not Forgotten Former Illinois Attorney General’s Attempt To Entrap Law-Abiding Citizens http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/12/jim-ryan-for-governor-gun-owners-have-not-forgotten-former-illinois-attorney-generals-attempt-to-ent.html
Proft Unmasked http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17412-Macon-County-Conservative-Examiner~y2010m1d16-Bambenek-rejects-Proft-supports-Andrzejewski
Dan Proft's Comment To Daily Herald On Right To Life Issue: Funny Or Vision Into A Man's Soul http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/dan-profts-comment-to-daily-herald-on-right-to-life-issue-funny-or-vision-into-a-mans-soul.html
Dan Proft for IL Governor Should Release Tax Records for Last Ten Years http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/dan-proft-for-il-governor-should-release-tax-records-for-last-ten-years.html
Dan Proft for Governor: On Abortion, Not Good, But Pro-Gambling Record Impeccable by Daniel T. Zanoza: http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/09/dan-proft-for-governor-on-abortion-not-good-but-progambling-record-impeccable-.html
What would you think: Some Questions of Dan Proft Style Politics: Good For GOP Locally or Nationally? Guest Commentary by John McNeal: http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/03/what-would-you.html
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