Banker Jack Ryan jumps in Senate race (Illinois)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 5/14/03

[LdSentinal]

One Ryan is skipping the U.S. Senate race, and another is jumping in.

Former investment banker Jack Ryan announced Wednesday that he will run next year for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Peter Fitzgerald. That makes Ryan the first Republican to formally enter the race.

A day earlier, former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan said he would not run. Ryan, the GOP's nominee for governor last year, said he chose to continue practicing law and teaching at Benedictine University after a discussion with his wife.

"Marie and I pretty much decided I'm not going to run," Ryan said. "I just decided that I am not going to do that right now."

Jim Ryan is the latest Republican with statewide name recognition to opt out of the race.

State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, former Gov. Jim Edgar and U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller have all taken a pass.

Several Democrats have announced their intention to run for Fitzgerald's seat.

Jack Ryan is not related to Jim Ryan or to former Gov. George Ryan, whose tenure as secretary of state was the subject of a federal corruption probe. George Ryan's ethics problems weakened the entire Republican ticket last year.

Jack Ryan, 43, grew wealthy as an investment banker with Goldman Sachs. He left the firm in 2000 and became a teacher at an all-male parochial school in Chicago, Hales Franciscan High School.

Other businessmen also are considering a run.

North Shore businessman Andy McKenna Jr. is among the Republicans who may join the race.

"We're going to make a formal announcement in a couple of weeks," said McKenna.

Accountant and lawyer John Cox said he is about 95 percent sure he will run.

Millionaire businessman James Oberweis said he plans to form an exploratory committee and will decide whether he is running after talking with party leaders.

Other Republicans considering a run for the seat include former Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood, former State Rep. Jim Durkin and state Sens. Dan Cronin, Patrick O'Malley and Steve Rauschenberger.

[LdSentinal]

Jack Ryan better self-finance a large part of his own campaign or he's basically a useless candidate.

[LdSentinal]

Ping

[Young Rhino]

Does Tom Clancy or the CIA know about this? :-)

[Diddle E. Squat]

Will Tom Clancy campaign for him?

[LdSentinal]

I don't think he would have jumped in than.

I read in another article -- perhaps by that idiot Steve Neal -- that Jack Ryan would be relunctant to spend a lot of his own money in a campaign.

[Petruchio]

I am waiting for a FReeper to test the waters . . .

[LdSentinal]

That's Ben Affleck, right? No, the other Jack Ryan. He was married to this:

[LdSentinal]

That's the article. Thanks.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Dear God, not another Ryan. I didn't realize that the luscious Jeri was his ex, which also calls into question his judgment... What the HELL was he thinking divorcing her ?!?

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Jack Ryan better self-finance a large part of his own campaign or he's basically a useless candidate."

---

I disagree. Even if he doesn't self-finance, he's better than the other names bandied about. He's a political newcomer, young, telegenic, and conservative enough to keep our base happy. If he can get the conservative vote Downstate and do well among suburban Republicans, he has a shot at winning. His biggest liability is that damn surname.

[JohnnyZ]

He's a political newcomer, young, telegenic, and conservative enough to keep our base happy.

I agree; if a conservative Republican JFK who quit his $ job to teach high school doesn't suit your fancy, who will?????????? He'll win 75% of the women, all the Republicans and gay men, and romp to victory.

If he gets support, that is. Shouldn't be tough to support the nominee in an open senate race in a battleground state.

Coincidentally, Jeri Ryan's character on Boston Public . . . what was that plot again?

[Kuksool]

If Jack Ryan officially enters the Senate race, don't be surprised if the Hollywood Left pressures Jeri Ryan to make public the reasons why she divorced ex-husband.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Oh, it wasn't a big secret, it had to do with careers. She had to make the decision whether to remain in Hollywood and continue in her role on Star Trek: Voyager or remain in Chicago, so she chose the former. She tried to persuade her husband to relocate out there and he didn't want to. I just questioned HIS judgment. I'd relocate to Mars if Jeri were my wife !

[Coop]

Wealthy candidates are taken seriously by the National Republican Senatorial Committee

Well, [clearing throat] I'm glad to hear the Senate Dems are above such disgraceful conduct.

[Kuksool]

I think Jack's decision not to support Jeri's rising acting career will hurt him. The RATS will definitiely use his divorce against him. They could run ads that say:

"Jack Ryan feels uncomfortable around strong women."

"Jack Ryan doesn't want women to have careers."

"Jack Ryan wants woman to be barefoot and pregnant."

"No wonder why Jack Ryan is anti-choice and anti-women."

Jack Ryan had better address the issue promptly.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Yup, although there may be another issue here. The rumor mill had it that Jeri was already having an affair with Trek producer Brannon Braga, so if they start attacking him and it comes out he merely divorced a cheating spouse in a long-distance marriage, that could backfire on the 'Rats. But, as I said, I really don't want to see another Ryan run for statewide office in IL, the name is poison.