Convinced that a team of two will break through the pack of Republican candidates running for Illinois governor, former GOP chairman Andy McKenna and Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine are teaming up for a gubernatorial run, sources tell NBC Chicago.
In doing so, Murphy abandons his own bid for governor and instead becomes McKenna's de facto running mate for lieutenant governor.
State law does not allow official linkage of candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, but it is not uncommon for such candidates to run unofficially as a team, CBS 2 Chicago explained.
Other Republicans running for governor include State Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, State Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, political consultant Dan Proft and businessman Adam Andrzejewski.
On the Democratic side, Gov. Pat Quinn has announced he's running for a full term. State Comptroller Dan Hynes would also like the job.
