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Rutherford, Brady in election spotlight

By Michele Steinbacher
msteinbacher@pantagraph

BLOOMINGTON - Bill Brady and Dan Rutherford may be among politicians to watch in 2006 as they run for statewide offices, but campaign watchers say the real show may be down the road.

The two Republican state senators are running for their party's nominations for governor and secretary of state, respectively. That makes them part of The Pantagraph's "10 to Watch."

Brady faces a crowded field in the March 21 primary, including state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka.

Rutherford has no primary challenger, but he would take on popular incumbent Democrat, Jesse White, in November.

Facing candidates with more money and name recognition makes it unlikely they will win - this time, say Tom Wilson, retired political science professor at Illinois State University, and Charlie Wheeler, director of University of Illinois at Springfield's public affairs reporting program.

Wilson and Wheeler said they believe Brady and Rutherford, who have served about a dozen years each in the House and Senate, are laying the groundwork for future elections.

Brady

The 44-year-old Bloomington real estate developer probably won't defeat Topinka, who is a little more moderate and has more name recognition, Wilson said. "But Brady has been impressing people with his straightforward answers."

"He's got a lot of years ahead of him," Wilson said. "Maybe he'll shoot for a governor's race in the future."

This time, Brady is competing with Aurora businessman Jim Oberweis for the socially conservative vote in the party, so he needs to find ways to spread his message and distinguish himself, Wheeler said.

"He's an articulate guy and has been able to provide a well-reasoned analysis of public policy issues from a conservative point of view," Wheeler said.

Also in the race is moderate Chicago businessman Ron Gidwitz.

Rutherford

Rutherford, 50, is a vice president at Downers Grove-based ServiceMaster Corp., where he specializes in the company's international ventures.

The fact that he is running against a popular incumbent with a solid record actually could help Rutherford in the future, Wheeler said. If he loses against White, his image as someone who could be elected to high office won't be damaged.

"In my mind, one of the reasons Dan is doing this is because even though his chances are small, he'll have a run at it, get it under his belt," Wheeler said. "It doesn't hurt, no matter what happens."

Wilson has watched Rutherford's political career since Rutherford was in ISU's academic senate in 1970s. What he has seen has impressed him.

"He got involved early. He has got a lot more (political) experience than some others his age," Wilson said. "He's a good speaker, good at handshaking and working the crowd."

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