Marathon Pundit: Joint statement from the Illinois GOP chair and Andy McKenna

On the same day the Chicago Tribune endorsed Andy McKenna for governor, this joint press release was issued:

Joint Statement of Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady and the McKenna for Governor Campaign

Over the last several weeks, questions have arisen regarding a poll commissioned by the Illinois Republican Party and paid for with State Party funds during the tenure of Andy McKenna as Chairman of the Party. The poll, taken last April, contained opinions of Illinois voters related to relevant issues and voter identification of a number of potential statewide Republican candidates. At his instruction, and at the urging of the Finance Committee, Mr. McKenna's name appeared in the voter identification questions of the poll. The poll also included an analysis of his personal name identification with Illinois voters.

The State Central Committee of the Illinois Republican Party has concluded that Mr. McKenna should not have done so without prior Central Committee approval and disclosure. Mr. McKenna had no intent to violate the spirit or the intent of the Party’s by-laws and he sincerely apologizes for having done so.