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Edgar: Brady Too Conservative For Illinois

Former governor says but the GOP has to understand that to win in Illinois, its candidates have to be moderate.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar says Republican Bill Brady lost the governorship in last week's election because he was ultimately too conservative for Illinois.

Speaking at a post-election forum in Springfield, Edgar said Republicans missed an opportunity to seize the state's top office on Nov. 2.

Edgar, who was governor from 1991 to 1999, says while it was a good night for the GOP in that the party gained seats in the Legislature and two statewide office. However, he doesn't think the party is back in Illinois.

Speaking Tuesday at an event organized by the University of Illinois' Institute of Government and Public Affairs, Edgar says Brady ran a better, more disciplined campaign than Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, but the GOP has to understand that to win in Illinois, its candidates have to be moderate.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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