XENIA – Two renegade Republicans and a former Democrat who denied the state’s authority to lock citizens down overpowered primary opponents and seized leadership of the Republican Party.
Senator Darren Bailey of Xenia, who sued to lift the lockdown in its third month, will run against governor J.B. Pritzker in November.
Lawyer Tom DeVore of Sorento who represented Bailey in Clay County circuit court, will run against Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Where the candidates live. Bailey and McHaney are practically neighbors.
Circuit Judge Michael McHaney of Iuka, who granted relief to Bailey but couldn’t deliver it, will run for an open seat at the Fifth District Appellate Court.
Statewide, Bailey scored more votes on Tuesday than six opponents together, easily capturing the GOP nomination for governor.
Madison County gave him 64 percent and St. Clair County gave him 61 percent.
Statewide, DeVore scored 44 percent against opponents who scored 35 and 21 percent.
Madison County gave him 49 percent and St. Clair County gave him 42 percent.
McHaney’s victory over sitting justice by appointment, Barry Vaughan, exposed the depth of alienation from the party structure in Southern Illinois.
McHaney switched parties, ran against an incumbent, received a low rating from the bar for legal ability, and scored even lower for temperament.
He won by approximately 14,000 votes in the newly re-drawn district that expanded from 37 to 48 counties.
McHaney scored 56 percent in Madison and St. Clair counties, and a bit more in the rest of the district.
At home in Marion County, McHaney topped 80 percent.
Party officials also embarrassed themselves in the 112th legislative district of Madison and St. Clair counties.
Party spokesman Joe Hackler intended on running against Rep. Katie Stuart of Edwardsville, and House minority leader Jim Durkin raised money for him.
Home grown Republican Jennifer Korte defeated Hackler by 4,423 to 2,155.
Democrats didn’t generate any more enthusiasm than regular Republicans.
In Madison County, about 23,000 voters chose Republican ballots and about 12,000 chose Democrat ballots.
In St. Clair County, about 14,000 voters chose Republican ballots and about 11,000 chose Democrat ballots.
In both counties, Republicans who ran without opposition scored more votes than Democrats they will oppose in November.
In rural counties, Democrats keep getting harder to find.
Fayette County counted 3,839 Republican ballots and 365 Democrat ballots.
That equals about one Democrat for every two square miles.
Wayne County counted 3,804 Republican ballots and 196 Democrat ballots.
That equals about one Democrat for every four square miles.