A very ‘connected’ statewide network
As of today, we have more fans on Facebook than any Republican candidate for governor — even though our potential candidacy is only a few weeks old.
How can you join our network?
Simple: click here to visit our Facebook page and become a fan.
Please also click here to follow us on Twitter.
Or, sign up to Get Involved, and we’ll be sure to put you to work!
Thank you all so much for your support.
MUST READ: Rockford Register-Star Columnist
Rockford Register-Star columnist Chuck Sweeny profiles our campaign today, writing:
Now, it’s seven years later and although Blago is impeached, removed from office and awaiting trial on corruption charges, we’ve not recovered from his nightmare movie. The state is reeling from debt and the business climate is terrible. And despite all that, Jim Ryan is poised to make his comeback.
Now a professor at Benedictine University, Ryan has a Web site, jimryan2010.com. He’s on Twitter and has a Facebook page, where on Monday, Ryan said this:
“Thanks to an unprecedented response from volunteers across Illinois, we will easily meet the filing requirement to get on the ballot. We will submit at least double the number of required signatures on Nov. 2. Stay tuned for more exciting news in our quest to take back Illinois … ”
On his Web site, Ryan features an “image” commercial from his 2002 campaign. It says, “He’s faced his share of challenges. Some he could prepare for, some he couldn’t. But he never quit, and he never let us down. A man of integrity and strength, a governor who will make us proud.”
If I were Dan Curry, Ryan’s campaign consultant, I’d run that commercial again. I’d label it “2002” and add these words: “Remember what could have been? It still could be. Jim Ryan for governor.”
Click here to read the full story.
Daily Herald Reports on our Campaign Plans
The Daily Herald reports this morning on our plans to enter the race for governor — as well as the real opportunity that exists to take back Illinois from the special interest insiders who have run our state into the ground during the past seven years.
Here is a snippet from that Daily Herald story:
Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan is set to officially enter the race for governor.
Campaign spokesman Dan Curry says Ryan will file petitions on Nov. 2 to get on the Republican primary ballot, the last day of filing for candidates in state and federal primaries. Candidates can file as early as today.
The story continues:
Republicans see a prime opportunity to regain power in Illinois next year with the arrest and ouster of Blagojevich and the constant calls for tax hikes by Democrats facing massive budget shortfalls.
We are one step closer to launching our campaign
This morning, I announced on Facebook that we are one step closer to launching our campaign for Illinois governor.
Thanks to an unprecedented response from volunteers across Illinois, we will easily meet the filing requirement to get on the ballot — and we will submit at least double the number of required signatures next Monday.
We can’t do this without your help — please click here to make an immediate online contribution to our campaign.
Over the past few weeks, many have asked me about my decision to re-enter the public spotlight. To be sure, there are numerous reasons — our rising deficit, our growing unemployment rate, our worsening jobs climate …
But perhaps one of the biggest reasons was summed up in the results of a Rasmussen Reports poll:
The vast majority of Illinois voters (89%) believe their state’s politicians have not done enough to clean up politics after the Blagojevich scandal.
That’s a sad, but true, finding.
While many politicians in our state have jumped on the anti-Blagojevich bandwagon this year, they stood by silently for years — supporting his re-election and the policies that have sent our state on the road to economic disaster.
Quite simply, this state needs a proven leader with the experience and integrity to clean up the mess. That’s why I’m considering a run for Illinois Governor — and why I need your help.
Our campaign won’t rely on big campaign cash from lobbyists and special interests.
The political insiders won’t bankroll our campaign.
I would be honored to have your support for our campaign — a campaign that will be built by grassroots supporters like you.
Let’s bring real, honest change to our state. Thank you so much for your support.
Marathon Pundit: Ryan Campaign ‘Picking Up Intensity’
Thanks to Marathon Pundit for highlighting our campaign today:
Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan’s exploratory bid for governor continues to pick up steam, as you’ll read here. The Elmhurst Republican has been out of the public eye since his 2002 gubernatorial run, but apparently a lot of people still remember the longtime public servant.
Maybe you’ve heard the news …
I am seriously considering a run for Governor of the state of Illinois — and I will make my final decision very soon.
We’ve taken a poll that shows us running far ahead of all the other candidates in the Republican Primary — and we are in a statistical dead heat with the two Democrats. I’ve never taken anything for granted in politics, but it is worth noting I have won four statewide primaries without a loss.
We’ve launched a new Web page and I confident we can put together a winning campaign on short notice — but we need your help today.
Please sign up here to get involved.
Like most Illinoisans, I am repulsed by the direction of the state during the last seven years. You deserve a government that is serious about fixing its ethical and financial problems and works on behalf of the people.
Our state needs competent, authentic leadership that is not positioning itself for future offices or financial gain.
I would be honored to have your support as we begin our campaign to provide Illinois this leadership.
Thank you for your support. We will be in touch soon.