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Who's the Best Candidate for Downstate IL?
(IRN) -- Gov. Pat Quinn is in big trouble with Downstate voters, according to public opinion polls, but he says he is the candidate for Downstate.

Quinn says he has been campaigning hard Downstate and believes that voters will pick him over State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) come Election Day. "I visited more Downstate communities than any other governor in the time that I've been governor," Quinn said.

Not so fast, says former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar, now a fellow with the Institute for Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois. Edgar says the Quinn campaign hasn't attracted the support it needs from Downstate voters. "I suspect Downstate, statewide candidates probably are gonna see a 20 percent margin by Republicans," Edgar said.

It is not surprising that Brady, a downstater, would lead Downstate against Quinn, a Chicago resident who grew up in DuPage County, but the Quinn strategy must be to keep from getting creamed so badly Downstate that he can't make it up in Cook County. Opinion polls show Quinn is failing to do that: Brady enjoys a clear lead statewide in all public opinion polls, and he's leading Quinn by margins such as 50-25 in some traditionally Democratic districts Downstate.

Edgar hasn't officially endorsed Brady, but says stay tuned. During the primary election, Edgar backed State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), who had served in the Edgar administration.

(Illinois Radio Network)
09 27 10 by Newsroom
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