The question is, is she the BEST candidate we can put forth ? Are there any Republican elected officials of stature within this district ? The only ones I can think of are current Moline Mayor Donald P. Welvaert, but he has only been in office since last year, and his 12-year predecessor, Stan Leach. Interesting how Sen. Jacobs said that Evans deserves a say in who replaces him, yet Jacobs doesn't believe Democrat primary voters are entitled to that right. I figure if Jacobs is coronated by party bosses, perhaps Zinga should similarly withdraw for us to anoint the highest-profile Republican in the district. Fair is fair, after all.
Zinga won't withdraw. She ran hard in 2004, and will run hard again this time. Frankly, I doubt that any other Republican would do better than her, since we need a candidate who shakes things up in order to beat an elected Democrat in that district.
What you suggest is a very good idea, but I'd be surprised if Andrea Zinga actually does it.