FILE PHOTO: U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger gets emotional as he speaks during a hearing by the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 27, 2021. Oliver Contreras/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Peoria, Ill — There are hints an outgoing Illinois Republican Congressman may have his sights set on the Illinois Governor’s Office in 2022.
In a recent interview on Crain Chicago Business’s “A.D. Q and A” podcast, U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger says if he ran for Governor next year, “I think I’m the only candidate that could win, at least that’s out there now”.
Kinzinger offered his observations about Republican candidates who are already entered to run for governor.
He said he doesn’t think any of them has offered a broad enough appeal to attract the most Illinois voters.
“We can’t win Illinois unless we win back those suburbs that Republicans used to win all the time,” Kinzinger said.
He also says focusing on issues like abortion will ensure defeat for GOP candidates in any general election.
“It’s a little disappointing when you look at the fact that in Illinois you have this race to the far right…and it’s not a far right state.”
The Illinois Republican and US Air Force veteran has attracted national attention in recent years for being one of a very few GOP lawmakers willing to oppose former President, and now de-facto Republican Party leader, Donald Trump.
Kinzinger went as far as to vote in favor of impeaching Trump in early 2020.
He announced in late October he would not seek another term in the U.S. House.
At that time Kinzinger mentioned in a Twitter announcement that it was “just the beginning” of his political career.
He has not released further details about his future plans.
Comments