Choose Doug Truax to face Dick Durbin
The best candidate to challenge Sen. Dick Durbin

The Chicago Tribune
March 5, 2014

Illinois Republicans have had few successes in – how to phrase the problem delicately? – the 21st century. One of those successes, though, has grown into a respected, independent and, at 54, relatively young member of the U.S. Senate. And if lightning sparked by the public fury over Obamacare strikes this November, the people of Illinois could end up with two such Republican senators: incumbent Mark Kirk and promising political newcomer Doug Truax.

Not that political polls will tell you so: With a four-way joust for governor dominating attention as the March 18 primary approaches, many Republicans have yet to focus on their party’s two candidates for U.S. Senate. What’s more, conventional wisdom dictates that longtime incumbents such as Dick Durbin can’t lose. But conventional wisdom doesn’t dictate how…