Who's NOT running for U.S. Senate, Illinois

Frank Avila (D) -- Avila is an engineer and a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District who toyed with the idea of running.

Terrence Barnich (R)

Andrea Grubb Barthwell (R) - Former deputy drug czar, Barthwell quit her post in the Bush administration to pursue the GOP nomination after Jack Ryan announced he would quit the race. Barthwell was immediately controversial, having made several large donations to city Democrats. Days later, reports of sexual harrassment allegations against her by a former coworker surfaced. Nevertheless, Barthwell, a moderate, was a top finalist and was eventually beat out by Alan Keyes.

Steve Bergauer (R)

Judy Biggert (R) - U.S. Congresswoman Biggert was approached by party chair Judy Baar Topinka after Mike Ditka removed himself from consideration. Biggert declined to run.

John Borling -- Rockford businessman Borling finished sixth in the Republican primary.

Carol Moseley Braun (D) -- Braun passed up the opportunity to run for Illinois senator to run for president. Braun's not running for senate helped clear the way for Barack Obama to win the Democratic nomination (he had said he would not enter the race if she did).

Gery Chico (D) - Former Chicago school board president and president of a collapsed law firm, Chico came in fifth in the Democratic primary behind Barack Obama.

Jimmy Connors (R) - A tennis pro and Belleville resident, Connors was mentioned as a potential candidate to replace Jack Ryan on the GOP ticket.

John Cox - Accountant, investor and lawyer, Cox attempted to rebound from his 2002 senatorial primary loss. But after lack-luster fundraising, quit the race and run for Cook County Recorder of Deeds. After Jack Ryan quit the race, Cox seriously considered making a run, but eventually was not selected by the replacement committee.

Dan Cronin (R) -- Cronin, a state senator from Elmhurst, supported Rauschenberger's campaign.

Antonio Davis-Fairman (R) - A 37-year-old entrepreneur and recent Washington D.C. resident, Davis-Fairman opted to run for congress against Rep. Danny Davis.

Raymond Defaenbaugh (R)

Kirk Dillard (R) - State senator from Hinsdale and DuPage County party chairman, Dillard was approached about a possible run by party leader Judy Baar Topinka after Mike Ditka announced he wouldn't run. A close personal friend of Democratic candidate Barack Obama, Dillard promised that if he ran that it will be "the classiest, nicest race." However, Dillard ultimately decided that staying in Illinois with his family was best for him.

Mike Ditka (R) - Da Coach was named in media outlets and party officials as a potential candidate, but after more than a week of flirtation with the idea and meeting with party leaders, Ditka decided against it.

Jeff Durbin (D) -- Jeff Durbin, not to be confused with current Illinois senator Dick Durbin, is a school teacher in Chicago who constructed a campaign Web site and filed federal paperwork for his senate bid, but never filed petitions with the state, a crucial step in getting on the ballot for the March 16 primary election. After the filing deadline passed, the Web site was taken down.

Jim Durkin (R) -- A former state representative, Durkin made a run against Sen. Dick Durbin (D) in 2002, but told the Sun-Times that he wouldn't run for senate in 2004.

Jim Edgar (R) -- Perhaps the only GOP candidate with a prayer of winning the general election, former Gov. Edgar declined to run for senator, in spite of pressure from the president.

Gary Fencik (R) - Former Bears player, Fencik was mentioned as a potential replacement candidate for Jack Ryan.

Patrick Fitzgerald - Bulldog U.S. Attorney in Chicago said through a spokesman that he's not interested in elective office, although some conservative news outlets have reported that his name was floated as a potential replacement candidate for Jack Ryan. Wishful thinking. For anyone who wants Fitzgerald to run for senator, ask yourself this, "Wouldn't you rather have a kick-ass corruption buster as U.S. Attorney?"

Peter Fitzgerald (R) -- Love him or hate him, Peter Fitzgerald was his own man. And by his choosing not to run, Illinois will be losing one of its most independent political voices. Already, his name is being kicked around for the 2006 Illinois Governor race.

Ron Gidwitz (R) - A Chicago businessman and GOP philanthropist, Gidwitz was considered a good possible contender to replace Jack Ryan because of his ability to self-finance, but he decided not to take up the race.

Liz Gorman (R) - Cook County commissioner from Orland Park, Gorman was considered a top choice in late July, but pulled her name from consideration just before the decision was made.

David Grange (R) -- The chief operating officer of the McCormick Tribune Foundation and former Army major general dispelled rumors that he had an interest in running.

Norm Hill (R) -- Retired insurance executive Hill finished seventh in the Republican primary.

Blair Hull (D) -- Millionaire investor Hull finished third in the Democratic primary to Barack Obama.

Dan Hynes (D) -- Illinois Comptroller Hynes finished second in the Democratic primary behind Barack Obama.

Estella Johnson-Hunt (D) - Write-in candidate and teacher from Evergreen Park, Johnson-Hunt finished eight in the Democratic primary.

Chirinjeev Kathuria (R) -- Businessman Kathuria finished eight in the Republican primary.

Victor Logan (R)

Andy Martin (R) -- Baghdad correspondent for Out2.com, Martin was removed from the ballot after some rather contentious hearings by the Illinois Board of Elections.

Tom McCracken (R) -- McCracken, chairman of Chicago-area's Regional Transportation Authority and favorite potential candidate of Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, declined to run and hinted at a 2006 gubernatorial bid.

Andrew McKenna Jr. (R) -- Paper company owner McKenna finished fourth in the Republican primary.

Ted Nugent - The gun-loving rocker and former Arlington Heights resident was mentioned as a possibility by a "Draft Ditka" supporter at a fundraiser on Navy Pier, reminding us all that it's not a good idea to drink Lake Michigan water unless it's been properly treated.

Jim Oberweis (R) -- Dairy owner and businessman, Oberweis finished second in the Republican primary behind Jack Ryan. He was considered a top contender to replace Jack Ryan after he dropped out, but Oberweis' controversial campaign commercials opposing Bush's immigration policy came back to haunt him.

Patrick O'Malley (R) -- Fresh off being defeated by Jim Ryan for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, former State Senator O'Malley declined to run again after months of speculation.

Matt O'Shea (D) -- Mayor of downstate Metamora who switched parties to run as a Democrat, O'Shea dropped out of the race in December 2003 and endorsed Gery Chico.

Martin Ozinga (R) - Construction supply businessman.

Maria Pappas (D) -- Cook County Treasurer Pappas finished fourth behind Barack Obama in the Democratic Primary.

Robert Plummer (R) - A businessman and developer from Edwardsville, Plummer took his name out of the hat on Aug. 2.

Glenn Poshard (D) -- After losing to George Ryan in the 1998 race for governor, Poshard was kicking around the idea of entering the race, but then endorsed Dan Hynes, the Sun-Times reported.

Pat Quinn (D) -- Lt. Gov. Quinn seemed to be maneuvering to make a run, but never did.

Dave Ransburg (R) -- Peoria Mayor Dave Ransburg told M.V. that he had no plans to run for senate.

Steve Rauschenberger -- Powerful state senator from Elgin finished third back from Jack Ryan in the Republican primary thanks to a late surge in support. Rauschenberger was also a top candidate to replace Jack Ryan, but decided not to run.

John R.J. Reynolds (R) -- Reynolds filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission but didn't file for the primary election with the state.

Vic Roberts (D) -- A retired coal miner from downstate Taylorville, Roberts ended his LaRouche-style candidacy in late November.

Jack Ryan (R) - Millionaire investor turned teacher dropped out of the senate race following the embarrassing release of his divorce records, in which his ex-wife, actress Jeri Ryan, accused Jack of taking her to sex clubs in Paris, New York and New Orleans and urging her to have sex in front of others. Ryan denies the claims in the court documents, but may Republican leaders and voters said they felt they had been misled by the candidate. Ryan announced he was dropping out on June 25, but delayed sending official notice to the Board of Elections for about five weeks. He was replaced on the ballot by Alan Keyes.

Jim Ryan (R) -- Embattled GOP gubernatorial candidate of 2002 and perhaps the only candidate trash-talked by his own party (or maybe just George Ryan) more than Peter Fitzgerald, Ryan announced in May 2003 that he was not running.

Dan Rutherford (R) -- Despite rumors, Rutherford did not end up running for U.S. senate and was, in fact, on Steve Rauschenberger's exploratory committee.

Al Salvi - Lost in the 1996 senate race to Dick Durbin. Salvi had mentioned he would accept the nomination if asked.

Orion Samuelson - The 70-year-old Samuelson is an agricultural broadcaster on WGN. He was approached by the party about replacing Jack Ryan, but health problems kept him out of the race.

Bob Schillerstrom (R) - The DuPage County Board president opted out of the race, perhaps in preparation for a 2006 gubernatorial bid, the Sun-Times reported.

Nancy Skinner (D) - Liberal talk show host from Chicago, Skinner finished sixth in the Democratic primary behind Obama.

John Simmons (D) -- A personal injury lawyer from downstate Edwardsville, John Simmons quit the race in early July after just a few short weeks.

Scott Summers (G) - Summers is an attorney and author from McHenry County. He didn't get the 25,000 signatures required to get on the ballot.

Bob Thomas (R) - Former Bears kicker turned Illinois Supreme Court Justice Bob Thomas was encouraged to run in the primary by Cook County GOP Chari Maureen Murphy, the Illinois Leader reported, but he ultimately decided against a run.

Jayne Thompson (R) - Former first lady and wife of Jim Thompson was mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Jack Ryan, but didn't pursue it.

Jim Thompson (R) - Sept. 11 Commissioner and former IL Governor, Thompson said he was not interested in replacing Jack Ryan on the ballot.

Judy Baar Topinka (R) - Illinois' top Republican, Topinka acknowledged that if she ran and won, Gov. Blagojevich would have the opportunity to replace her with a Democrat. Consider her an early favorite in the 2006 Illinois Governor race.

Daniel Vovak (R) - Vovak was interviewed by the GOP to replace Jack Ryan, but that he often wears a white powdered wig may have gotten in the way.

Joyce Washington (D) - Vice president at Advocate Health Care, Washington finished seventh in the Democratic primary.

Jerry Weller (R) - U.S. Representative Jerry Weller denounced rumors that he might be running.

Jonathan Wright - Lawyer from Downstate Lincoln, Wright finished fifth in the Republican primary.

Corinne Wood (R) - Former Lt. Governor Wood lost the GOP gubernatorial primary to Jim Ryan by focusing too much on her pro-choice stance and by positioning herself as a moderate. The GOP saw her as a weak candidate, and she had greater appeal to Democrats, who were not voting in the GOP primary.

Who's NOT running for U.S. Congress, Illinois

Jeremy Alexander (D-1st) -- Alexander started a campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission but did not file the necessary paperwork to get on the ballot.

Mel Reynolds (D-2nd) -- Reynolds attempted to regain his old congressional seat, but ultimately he could not beat the very powerful Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Everett Drayden Shumpert (D-2nd) -- Lost in the primary to Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Anthony W. Williams (D-2nd) -- Lost in the primary to Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Christopher Brennan (R-3rd) -- Brennan dropped out to help develop the 19th Ward Regular Republican Organziation.

John Kelly (R-3rd) -- Kelly filed nominating papers to get on the ballot, but formally withdrew.

Marty Castro (D-4th) -- Castro took on Gutierrez in 2002 but decided not to run again.

Gene Koprowski (L-4th) -- Koprowski started a campaign committee and filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission but did not fill out paperwork to get on the ballot.

Mark Arnold Fredrickson (D-5th) -- Fredrickson lost to rookie congressman and former Clinton aide Rahm Emanuel.

Frank Gonzalez (L-5th) -- Declared his candidacy on his Web site late last year, but then moved to Florida and is running there.

Joe Slovinec (D-5th) -- Slovinec previously made a run in 2002, but wrote in a recent government filing that he does not intend to seek the seat in 2004.

Tom Berry (D-6th) - Lost his primary battle to Christine Cegelis (D), who earned the dubious honor of facing the powerful Henry Hyde (R) in November.

Robert Dallas (D-7th) -- Lost to Danny Davis in primary.

Anita Rivkin-Carothers (D-7th) -- In defeating Rivkin-Carothers, Rep. Danny Davis thwarted a power-play seemingly orchestrated by his political rival, Chicago Ald. Ike Carothers (Anita's nephew).

Richard Hammes (D-8th) -- Hammes had a Web site and an official campaign committee but didn't apply to get on the Illinois ballot.

David Phelps (R-8th) -- Lost his bid to unseat the politically vulnerable Rep. Phil Crane.

Bill Scheurer (D-8th) -- Lost to Melissa Bean in the Dem primary. He was then slated by the party to run for state representative in the 61st district.

Nicholas George Chrisos (D-10th) -- Formally withdrew from the race before the primary. He was later slated by the party to run for state representative in the 53rd district.

Kenneth Charles Wiezer (D-12th) -- Lost his long-shot bid in the primary to Rep. Jerry Costello (D).

Bob Hart (R-13th) -- Removed from the race by the Illinois Board of Elections, later filed as a write-in candidate, but lost.

Ralph Langenheim (D-15th) -- Langenheim, who sits on the Champaign County Board, lost in the Democratic primary to David Gill.

Brian K. Meyer (I-12th) -- Former Marijuana Party candidate and father's rights activist, Meyer never filed petitions to run as a third party candidate. It's unclear whether he'll file as a write in candidate.

Mark Kevin Wykoff (R-17th) -- Wykoff had a Web site and an official campaign committee but didn't apply to get on the Illinois ballot.

Richard Rawlings (M-18th) -- Rawlings announced his candidacy for the Marijuana Party but has not filed petitions to get on the Nov. ballot.

Jeff Trigg (L-18th) -- Trigg had mentioned a few times in his weblog that he might have challenged Rep. Ray LaHood (R). He recently filed petitions to run for state representative in the 73rd district.

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