In preparation for the last two months of the Illinois Republican primary for governor, state treasurer Dan Rutherford has rolled out new names and positions on his campaign staff.
Topping the list is news Rutherford has named Curt Conrad to serve as statewide political director. Conrad, from Springfield, was a former Executive Director for the Illinois Republican Party.
The campaign also filled several county coordinators this week, including positions in Kankakee, Grundy, Rock Island, Sangamon and elsewhere. On Wednesday, the Rutherford campaign also made official the naming of Brian Sterling as communications director, who had been serving in an interim basis.
The moves come in the wake of news that of the four Republican primary candidates, Rutherford is increasingly becoming positioned to challenge wealthy businessman Bruce Rauner in the fundraising department.
Rauner, who reported raising $4 million in the last three months of 2013, far outpaced rivals Dillard and Brady, who raised $328,000 and $73,000 for the period, respectively.
Rutherford, however, raised $393,000 in the fourth quarter and finished the year with about $1.37 million on hand—the most of any GOP candidate.
