By Benjamin Yount    217-528-9844

LISLE  –  It could be a few days before Illinois Republicans will know who their candidate for governor will be this fall.

The top three candidates in the primary each went to bed early Wednesday morning claiming at least some victory.

Bloomington State Senator Bill Brady claimed the GOP’s top spot as his own in a victory speech to supporters.  Brady says it’s only “halftime” but says he is ready for the Democratic candidate.  Whoever that may be.

But State Senator Kirk Dillard went to bed saying he expected to be the nominee by the time he woke up.  Dillard says the remaining precincts, which were still unknown early Wednesday, should push him over the top.  Brady and Dillard are separated by just a few hundred votes.

Andy McKenna was a few thousand votes behind the pack, but he says he’s also still in the race.  McKenna wants all the votes counted, even if that takes a while.  Dillard says it could take a few days.

Brady, Dillard, and McKenna are all expected to attend a Republican unity breakfast in Chicago later this morning.