Edgar backs Ryan in governor's race

The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Jim Ryan picked up former Gov. Jim Edgar's endorsement Thursday, helping his effort to avoid being painted as an ultraconservative in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

During his two terms in office, Edgar developed a reputation as a moderate Republican and sharp manager of the state's money. He supports abortion rights, while Ryan opposes abortion.

But Edgar said Ryan's character and record outweigh his opposition to abortion.

"Some have said that makes him an arch-conservative," Edgar said at a Springfield news conference. "That's political hogwash. Jim Ryan is no more of an arch-conservative than I am."

Ryan, now in his second term as attorney general, faces two opponents in the Republican primary: abortion opponent Sen. Patrick O'Malley and abortion-rights supporter Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood.

Wood hopes voters will see both men as too conservative, leaving her with the party's centrist voters and its few liberals. She sought to use Edgar's endorsement against Ryan.

"The old-boy party establishment apparently has an anointed candidate in this primary," she said.

Edgar said Wood had asked for his endorsement and he turned her down because of Ryan's experience in running a major statewide office, and record of helping children and fighting crime.

O'Malley's campaign did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Earlier on Thursday, Gov. George Ryan said he would not endorse anyone in the governor's race or any other primary battle.

Edgar's endorsement might win Jim Ryan a few votes, the governor added, but said most voters pay little attention to endorsements.

Jim Ryan, however, argued Edgar's endorsement shows his ability to build support despite differences on some issues. That's especially important after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he said in one of several references to the violence.

"One of the things that came out of this tragedy is that we are very dependent on one another and we do value each other," Ryan said.