1. Jack Ryan. Top of the poll even though everyone is in the margin of error. Appealing to those who aren’t even that familiar with him. Seems to have the intangible of charisma.
2. Steve Rauschenberger. Lot’s of help from Lege supporters and straddles the line between the moderate and conservatives. Continuing budget problems play to him since he is the go to guy in the Lege for the press on budget issues. Lost the beard now looks like generic Republican candidate.
3. Andrew McKenna. Still has the connections and is getting generally good press from conservatives. Many still wary of his threatened challenge to Fitzgerald.
4. Jim Oberweis. Doing all right in polling–hasn’t seemed to win over wary social conservatives.
5. John Cox. Even in second race statewide doesn’t seem to be cracking the Republican primary electorate. Then again, Oberweis hasn’t jumped out either.
6. John Borling. Maybe boring, but is registering in the polling.
7. Chirinjeev Kathuria. Still getting good press, and stood up for principle on his beard and is keeping it. Didn’t make a dent in the polls, but seems to be genuinely liked by the press. That may help later.
8. Jonathan Wright. Nothing.
9. Antonio Davis Fairman. As Marie mentioned in comments, as a runner-up prize, Illinois is looking for a poet laureate. Hopefully we’ll keep looking.