Sources: McKenna to join race for Ill. governor

The former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party intends to join the crowded field of people running for governor. The Associated Press and Illinois Public Radio both quote sources close to the campaign as saying Andy McKenna will run for governor in 2010.

McKenna stepped down as Republican chairman a month ago. Now he wants to win the party's nomination for governor.

In addition, those same sources say state Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine will abandon his bid for governor and instead run for lieutenant governor as McKenna's unofficial running mate. It's unofficial because candidates for governor and lieutenant governor in Illinois run separately in the primary election.

McKenna unsuccessfully sought a U.S. Senate nomination in 2004. He considered running again for the Senate in 2010 but stepped aside for Rep. Mark Kirk to seek the office.

Republicans already running for governor include Kirk Dillard, Bill Brady, Dan Proft and Robert Schillerstrom.

(Additional reporting from Illinois Public Radio)