UPDATE x1 Nov 5: Illinois Review has been notified that the GOP Senate Caucus voted in State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) as the next GOP Senate Leader.
BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Bill Brady announced Wednesday he won't seek to be re-elected as Senate Republican leader when the legislature returns next year.
He hinted he may be interested in running for statewide office in 2022. He has run failed gubernatorial bids three times before – in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
"When I was elected leader, I said that I would not pursue any other elected office during my leadership of the caucus. While my decision to not seek re-election as Senate Republican Leader may close this chapter, it by no means is the final word on my desire to serve our state and tackle those challenges," Brady said.
Brady has been unsuccessful in rebuilding the GOP Senate caucus that at one time under Pate Philip held majority status.
Younger senators' names are being tossed around to succeed Brady, including the newly-elected state Senator Darren Bailey (who won with 75% of the vote in southern Illinois), Senator Jason Plummer (elected two years ago in a district south of the Metro East area) and Senator Paul Schimpf (elected two years ago in the St. Clair Co area).
