This does not mean Ditka has decided, but the push to get him over the process hurdle of a majority of the Central Committeeman seems to be a done deal to me. This is not a prediction that he will take it, and certainly a powerful member of the Republican Party could step in and pressure some folks to back down, but here are the numbers I have and those announced in support of Ditka.
CD. Name Number of Votes
16. Syverson 68,827
15. Jerry Clarke. 59,768
8. Dr. William Dam 55,485
19. Bob Winchester 43,402
12. Steve McGlynn 23,229
3. George Preski 22152
9. Dorgan 22,122
5. Skip Saviano 13,502
Total votes 308,487
Needed 351,329
Difference 42,842
I hear that there may be as many as 100,000 votes that are safe bets, but not declared. Ditka hasn’t even tried for committments yet either.
So unless there is push from on high to dump the idea, this is probably Ditka’s choice. That still leaves a lot of questions though.
(I was able to do this because of Nathaniel Zimmer’s article on the Central Committee vote totals).
UPDATE: According to Draft Ditka Perez and Meyer have signed off giving them another 14,078 and a total of 322,565
UPDATE 2: From comments, sixth district committeeman Ron Smith jumps on board with 57,348. It’s Ditka’s for the taking. If he is crazy enough to run for Senate, it looks like he’s got the GOP nomination waiting for him.
Statement of District 6 State Central Committee Member Ronald C Smith
Hon. Ronald C. Smith
2S121 Ivy Lane
Lombard, IL 60148
I believe Mike Ditka would be a phenomenal candidate for US Senate. Although he hasn?t officially said whether he?s running, and hasn?t been through a full vetting process, I wholeheartedly support his candidacy. He would have straightforward, direct approach to the important issues that face Illinois and our Great Nation. Some Washington pencil-necks (who like to blame America first when there is a crisis) may not appreciate a common sense leader like Ditka, but I think this country needs more Ditkas and fewer Ted Kennedys.