Bill Brady Concedes With Sadness, And Class

Behind by 19,400 votes, Bill Brady, the GOP candidate for Governor of Illinois conceded the race this afternoon from the Doubletree Hotel in Bloomington. 

1:30 p.m.  With their families surrounding the room, GOP Lt. Gov. candidate Jason Plummer and Gubernatorial candidate, Senator Bill Brady entered the conference room.

1:34:  An emotional Jason Plummer spoke first:  “. . . we articulated our points well. . . I look forward to working with whomever, to help turn the state around. . . thanked his family, friends and supporters; voice broke up. . . . applause. . . support humbling. . . I can’t thank the folks of Illinois enough. . . it’s been an honor. . . . ”

1:35:  Bill Brady speaks:  “. . . no greater honor. . . . for us to be part of the campaign that debated the issues and moved Illinois forward. . . . nothing more important than working to bring jobs back to Illinois. . . . consistent and firm in our beliefs. . . . not to raise taxes. . . . just got off the phone with Gov. Quinn and congratulated him on his victory. . . which he deserved. . . he worked hard for it. . .”

Then the Senator thanked his wife Nancy. . . his three children, Katie, William and Duncan. . . . his mom Nancy. . . his aunts and uncles and his brothers, Ed and Bob and their families. . . .”I can’t say thank you enough.”  Wife Nancy struggled, having difficulty holding back her tears.  Their children were stoic, fighting to hold back theirs.

Thanked his staff including Jan Hood and Carol Aldridge who have been with him for 18 years.

“Truly grateful to the people of Illinois. . . . as State Senator I’m committed to working with Governor Quinn and my colleagues. . . . we can make this state even better. . . . and we thank all of you for being our friends. . . thank you and God bless you all.”

After questions from the media, Senator Brady concluded, “Life’s too short to rule anything out. . . ” as wife Nancy added, “. . . not the time to talk about that right now.”

The t.v. lights turned off and the swarming mass of reporters moved quickly to report their story.  

The partisan crowd dispersed with unusual silence and understandable sadness for their home-town Senator.

And the Brady’s retired from a long, tough campaign with class.