Jim Oberweis for Illinois governor

Last year, the GOP decided it was better to lose a Senate seat to Barack Obama than to run a candidate who's opposed to illegal immigration: Jim Oberweis. Despite finishing second in the primary, he was basically ignored by the GOP leadership because of his pro-borders views. Details here.

Now, he's running for governor, and expect the same forces to oppose him:

ROCKFORD — Republican governor hopeful Jim Oberweis, resurrecting the anti-illegal alien theme he used in an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate in 2004, has condemned the increasing use of "matricula" cards issued by the Mexican and other governments to people who are in the U.S. illegally.

Illinois lawmakers have passed and Gov. Rod Blagojevich has signed a law that recognizes matricula cards as valid IDs in the state.

Oberweis, an Aurora businessman, said Sunday at a Greater Rockford Airport news conference that if he's elected governor, he will strictly enforce the new federal REAL ID Act, which would render the matricula cards useless...

Oberweis is one of a growing number of Republicans who want to be governor. Other candidates are cosmetics heir Ron Gidwitz, businessman and state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, and state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin. The "thinking about running" list includes State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and former Gov. Jim Edgar.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, is expected to seek a second term in 2006, although he has not announced his candidacy.

Previously:

Is the Illinois GOP making sense?

"GOP Immigration Idiocy In Illinois"

"Back to Reality" for the Illinois GOP

The Ted Nugent era

The Mike Ditka era

Illinois GOP cedes senate race to Democratic challenger

The Jeri Ryan issue

Politics · Mon, 09/12/2005 - 20:19 · Importance: 1